When students participate in scientific research
Students Lai Quoc Khanh and Mai Hoang Dang Son, from class 12 Math 1 at Lam Son High School for gifted students, along with their teacher Vu Chi Tuan, conduct experiments for their scientific research project.
In addition to its excellent results in high-quality teaching, thanks to the efforts of each teacher and the students’ passion for scientific research, Lam Son High School for gifted students has also achieved many successes in this field, notably by participating in the National Competition for Scientific and Technological Research for high school students. In recent years, several research projects led by students from the school have been awarded at the provincial and national levels. For example, during the 2024-2025 school year National Competition for Scientific and Technological Research for high school students, Lam Son High School presented three projects, all of which were awarded: a first prize, a second prize, and a hopeful prize. In the same competition, which took place at the end of March 2026, students from the school won a national second prize with their project titled “Design, synthesis, and study of the inhibitory activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of certain fluorinated chalcones to guide research for Alzheimer’s disease drugs.”
This project was carried out by Lai Quoc Khanh and Mai Hoang Dang Son, students in scientific studies (mathematics option 1) at Lam Son High School for gifted students, under the guidance of their teacher Vu Chi Tuan. Mai Hoang Dang Son stated, “Our project focuses on the design and synthesis of a series of fluorinated chalcone compounds to inhibit the AChE enzyme and improve memory in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Instead of conducting large-scale experiments, we focused on a series of 12 fluorinated chalcone compounds. The experimental results identified three derivatives, FC3, FC3Bn, and FC3F, which exhibit extremely powerful inhibition of the AChE enzyme. These compounds are promising candidates and provide an important basis for the development of more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.”
According to Professor Vu Chi Tuan, building on these initial successes, teachers and students will continue their research on other derivatives of FC1, FC2, and FC3 to discover more effective compounds to treat Alzheimer’s disease. This new stage also aims to develop students’ skills, motivation, and creativity in research.
Not only Lam Son High School for gifted students, but many colleges and high schools in the province are launching innovative projects and achieving excellent results, such as Ham Rong High School in Hac Thanh district, Dong Van College in Dong Quang district, and Yen Son College in Ha Trung commune. For example, Ham Rong High School recently won the fourth prize in the National Competition for scientific and technological research for high school students (2025-2026) with the project “Design and manufacturing of a multifunctional agricultural robot for sowing, pesticide spraying, and watering, integrating an AI camera and an intelligent control system for maintenance and monitoring of crops on different types of terrain,” presented by students Vu Xuan Thinh and Nguyen Hoang Anh from class 12A7. Dong Van College, on the other hand, won the second prize in the Provincial Competition for scientific and technological research for high school students (2025-2026) with the project “Floating stilt house for populations in flood-prone areas,” presented by students Le Van Hoan and Tran Le Binh from class 9A.
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, scientific research activities conducted by students are significantly increasing in the province’s educational institutions, especially since the launch of the scientific and technological competition for high school students. Each year, hundreds of projects participate in this provincial competition. For example, during the 2025-2026 school year, the provincial competition attracted 148 projects involving 288 students from 136 schools in the province. Among these projects, 35 came from high schools and 113 from colleges. In this first school year, organized according to the local governance model at two levels, there were some difficulties and challenges, but the quality of the participating projects has continued to improve. Many of them have moved beyond the initial idea stage to focus on research and the production of products or solutions with practical applications. The presentation and critical analysis skills of some students have clearly developed, fully meeting the competition’s requirements.
This also demonstrates that the scientific research movement among high school students has achieved its goals: stimulating students’ creativity; encouraging the search for innovative and original scientific ideas, initiatives, and practical and concrete solutions; and creating an intellectual, scientific, and enriching environment for students. This movement also fully harnesses the potential of teaching staff, especially competent and experienced teachers to guide students in their research. Above all, the success of students participating in scientific research is not only measured by the number of subjects and projects completed but also by the development of their creative spirit, perseverance, teamwork skills, and problem-solving abilities. This is an essential foundation that contributes to improving the quality of human resources training for the industrialization and modernization of the country.
Text and photos: Phong Sac
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khi-hoc-sinh-tham-gia-nghien-khoa-hoc-283080.htm
