The software created by Cáp Hoàng Dũng, a third-grade student at Trương Định Primary School in District 12, takes the form of a game that helps students learn math and improve their mental calculation skills.
Dũng’s product won first prize in the elementary school category at the 17th Ho Chi Minh City Youth Innovation Contest, held on June 12, 2022.
Dũng shared that he developed the software because he noticed that his peers spent a lot of time doing mental math when solving math problems. He wanted to program software that could help students from grades 1 to 3 calculate faster and test their math skills.
The product utilizes the Scratch programming language and operates as a game. Players must answer math questions in the form of addition and subtraction within a given time limit. When a player answers correctly, the character in the game overcomes an obstacle. If the answer is wrong, the system informs the player of the correct answer, but the character does not pass the obstacle. When players answer all math problems correctly, the character is awarded the champion title along with a trophy. “I want my friends to do math while playing games to relieve stress,” Dũng said.
Cáp Hoàng Dũng, a student at Trương Định Primary School, receiving the first prize at the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Innovation Contest on June 12. (Photo: Hà An)
Mr. Đoàn Kim Thành, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for the Development of Young Science and Technology and a member of the judging panel, evaluated that, considering Dũng’s primary school level, the expert council highly appreciated the completeness of the product and its immediate applicability. “The creativity of this product lies in helping elementary students enhance their math skills while also providing entertainment through a game, making learning more engaging for them,” Mr. Thành said.
In addition to this first prize, the contest also awarded 5 second prizes, 3 third prizes, and 27 encouragement prizes to students from elementary to high school. Many products were highly regarded by the judges for their creativity and applicability, such as the smart ceiling broom by Đoàn Ngọc Kim Uyên, a student at Lê Văn Hưu Secondary School in Nhà Bè District (second prize); a device to prevent nearsightedness and hunchback by a group of students from Hai Bà Trưng Secondary School in District 3 (second prize); and a biodegradable plastic product by a group of students from Bùi Thị Xuân High School in District 1 (third prize)…
The interface of the math learning software designed as a game by Dũng. (Photo: Organizing Committee)
The Ho Chi Minh City Youth Innovation Contest has been co-organized by the Youth Union, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Education and Training, and the Union of Scientific and Technical Associations of the city since 2005, aimed at students from grades 1 to 12. The contest aims to promote students’ creative thinking abilities with scientific and technical products that have practical applications in life. It serves as a platform for young people to learn, share knowledge, and engage in early-stage research.
This year’s contest attracted 117 products from over 90 participating schools. The first prize winner received a reward of 7 million VND, the second prize 5 million VND, the third prize 3 million VND, and encouragement prizes 2 million VND each.
