PowHERful Summit 2026: Empowering STEM Dreams

PowHERful Summit 2026 inspires nearly 400 students and parents to explore STEM

“Is STEM the right path for me?” “What careers can I pursue if I study STEM?” “Can girls succeed in STEM?”

These were some of the questions many secondary school students brought with them to the PowHERful Summit 2026: Empowering STEM Dreams. Driven by these questions, nearly 400 students and parents embarked on a journey to discover STEM through meaningful conversations, hands-on experiences and inspiring stories.

As the final phase of the PowHERful 2026 campaign, the Summit was organised by saigonchildren at the end of June to make STEM more accessible and relatable for students, particularly girls.

The day began with a series of small-group discussions, where students had the opportunity to meet university students who had also completed an advanced STEM model training workshop, as well as volunteers from MiTek Vietnam. Another highlight of the event was the panel discussion, Empowering Confidence in STEM, featuring a career guidance specialist, a representative from a tech company, and a student currently pursuing a STEM major.

The STEM Model Exhibition was another major attraction. The models on display were among the standout projects developed during the STEM School Tours held earlier this year at lower secondary schools. Alongside the exhibition, a series of interactive activity stations created a lively environment where learning and play went hand in hand. Through challenges involving scientific thinking, engineering, problem-solving and teamwork, students explored STEM in ways that were engaging, practical and enjoyable.

PowHERful 2026 was supported by MiTek, a company specialising in construction technology solutions that promote efficiency and sustainability. In addition to providing financial and operational support throughout the programme and the STEM School Tours, MiTek representatives also took part in Summit discussions, sharing insights into the workplace, workforce needs and career opportunities within the technology sector.

Mrs C., a parent who attended the Summit with her daughter, shared: “I used to worry that my daughter would face many challenges if she chose an engineering-related field. Today’s discussions gave me a new perspective on how I can better support her. What matters most is giving children the opportunity to discover which fields suit them and helping them build the confidence to pursue the path they choose.”

Following a series of STEM experiences in schools, the PowHERful Summit 2026 served as the next step in helping students connect those experiences with real-world perspectives on education, careers and the future. Through direct conversations with university students, career experts and businesses, the programme aimed to equip young people with the information they need to make choices aligned with their interests, strengths and aspirations.