Supporting
High-Quality STEM Education in Public Preschools
An evidence-based approach designed to align with national curriculum priorities and support teachers and school leaders through safe, scalable implementation.
760% ROI
The case for investing early is also economic. Evidence cited by the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers suggests that every dollar invested in high-quality early childhood education can generate substantial long-term returns, estimated at $8.60 in adulthood.¹
(1) Source: USA Council of Economic Advisers (2015). The economics of early childhood investments.
Why STEM Education Matters in Early Childhood Education
Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) into the early years is gaining attention because it helps children develop essential skills for school and life. In early childhood settings, STEM is not about advanced content—it is purposeful, play-based exploration that strengthens communication, critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and collaboration.
In Viet Nam, the new national STEM plan (November 2025) strengthens the mandate to implement STEM in early childhood education nationwide, supporting preschools to deliver national curriculum objectives more effectively through structured, age-appropriate learning.
In this context, public preschools need STEM approaches that are curriculum-aligned, practical for teachers, and supported by clear guidance, training and safe implementation.
How STEMsmart Supports Public Preschools
to Deliver STEM
STEMsmart is designed to help public preschools translate national STEM priorities into practical, classroom-ready practice. It supports schools to implement STEM in ways that strengthen existing teaching, respect local conditions, and remain aligned with public education standards.
Aligned with National Curriculum Frameworks
STEMsmart supports STEM integration that complements the national preschool curriculum rather than replacing it. Learning activities are designed to strengthen existing learning domains through age-appropriate, play-based exploration that fits within approved teaching schedule.
Informed by Research and Implementation Evidence
STEMsmart is informed by educational research and ongoing implementation evidence from early childhood settings. Developed in collaboration with universities and research partners, the platform supports evidence-informed practice while allowing for continuous learning and refinement as schools implement STEM in real contexts.
Flexible, Scalable Implementation Models
STEMsmart offers flexible implementation options that respond to the diverse conditions of public preschools. Schools may begin with small-scale pilots, integrate STEM into classroom activities, or scale implementation across school clusters or districts, in line with local capacity and guidance from education authorities.
Capacity Building for Teachers and School Leaders
STEMsmart places teacher and leadership capacity at the centre of effective STEM delivery. Teachers are supported with clear guidance and structured resources, while school leaders are equipped to guide implementation, monitor practice and sustain quality STEM learning over time.
Governance, Data Protection and Child Safeguarding
STEMsmart is designed to operate within the governance requirements of public preschools and the broader public education system. All implementation models prioritise transparency, accountability and alignment with national regulations, ensuring that schools can adopt STEMsmart with confidence and clarity.
The protection of children and personal data is a core principle of STEMsmart. The platform and associated activities are developed to support safe, responsible use in early childhood settings, with clear protocols for data handling, access control and ethical practice. Any use of digital tools is carefully structured to respect children’s wellbeing, privacy and developmental needs.
STEMsmart also places strong emphasis on child safeguarding and inclusive practice. Learning activities are designed to be age-appropriate, safe and accessible, supporting equity, inclusion and positive learning experiences for all children. Schools and education authorities are supported with clear guidance to ensure that STEM implementation upholds high standards of care, protection and professional responsibility.
For detailed information, please refer to our Data Protection and Child Safeguarding Policy, which outlines our commitments and procedures in full.