press release Chevron Launches "Enjoy Science: Young Makers Contest 2"
Bangkok, 26 July 2017 – The Chevron Enjoy Science project, led by Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd., in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the National Science Museum (NSM), the Ministry of Education’s Office of Vocational Education Commission (VEC), and Kenan Institute Asia, has launched the “Enjoy Science: Young Makers Contest 2” to invite young ‘makers’ or innovators from secondary schools, vocational colleges and universities to participate in the invention contest to improve community safety and win a trip to join the exhibition for makers, Maker Faire Bay Area, in San Francisco, U.S.A, as well as other prizes valued at more than1.2 million baht in total.
Mr. Artit Krichphipat, Business Support general manager, Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd., said: “One of the main objectives of the Chevron Enjoy Science project is to build public interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and inspire the younger generation to pursue STEM-related studies and careers, which in turn will increase the number of qualified personnel in these fields. Over the past two years, the project has been actively supporting the maker culture or DIY movement in Thai society through various activities, in partnership with both the public and private sectors. One of these activities is the Enjoy Science: Young Makers Contest, mainly implemented by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), which aims to encourage youths to construct innovations for better societies and communities. The inaugural contest was held last year and this is the second edition.”
Mr. Artit continued, “The topic of this year’s contest is ‘Innovation for Safer Communities’. Safety is an important issue and affects the quality of people’ lives, as well as economic and social development. In addition, safety for communities covers a wide range of issues, such as road accidents, fires as well as crimes and drug use. We would therefore like to provide opportunities for the new generation to play a role in nurturing a culture of safety by producing innovations that support safer communities. This resonates with the maker culture which values knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning as well.”
Ms. Kullprapa Navanugraha, Vice President, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), said: “The first edition of Enjoy Science: Young Makers Contest held under the topic ‘innovations for the elderly and the disabled’ received positive feedback from students in both the general and vocational education categories, with 257 creative ideas submitted. Many of them were innovative, useful and could be further developed, which reflects the competence of Thai youths in creating innovations. These young makers will be the future competitive workforce that drives Thailand to be an innovative, creative and technology-based country. We believe that the Enjoy Science: Young Makers Contest Year 2 will support the growth of the ‘maker’ culture in a wider community as well as inspire the younger generation to learn about and create innovations to develop their communities.”
Mrs. Kaninar Wongthongsiri, Vice President, acting President, the National Science Museum (NSM), said: “NSM is committed to supporting and raising awareness of science, which benefits Thailand’s development as well as cultivates a positive attitude among members of the younger generation towards science and technology. It is our pleasure to continue our support of the Enjoy Science: Young Makers Contest in order to strengthen the ‘maker’ culture in Thailand, which we hope will be a positive influence on the country’s technological competitiveness on the global stage. NSM continues to provide support for this second edition through the management of Enjoy Science Maker Space to showcase makers’ works, coordination efforts with schools across Thailand, and NSM human resources. Through our efforts, we hope the contest will achieve its goals and encourage the younger generation to pursue further education in STEM while also inspiring them to come up with innovations to create safer communities.”
Dr. Mongkolchai Somudon, Director of Bureau of Research and Development, acting Advisor for Vocational Education Standards (Agriculture and Fishery), the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, added: “As Thailand gears up for the government’s plan for innovation development and technology-driven economy under the Thailand 4.0 policy, the country needs to develop its workforce, especially its vocational students, and equip them with 21st century skills in order to respond to industries’ needs for higher technology and a more skilled workforce. By taking part in the Enjoy Science program, vocational students are continuously being trained and gradually acquiring these 21st century skills. The ‘Enjoy Science: Young Makers Contest’ is also an important stage for students to showcase their science skills as well as their creativity in crafting an invention for their communities.”