Why STEM Matters

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In real life these four fields work together. Science helps us understand how the world works. Technology and engineering turn that understanding into tools, products, and solutions. Mathematics gives us the language to measure, analyze, and make sense of the results. Think of how a new vaccine, a healthier food product, or a faster diagnostic test comes to life. None of them could exist without all four fields contributing.

This is also how i3L University approaches learning. Our programs in biomedicine, biotechnology, pharmacy, food technology, and bioinformatics bring together these inter-disciplinary fields of study for scientific inquiry, technological innovation, engineering thinking, and data-driven analysis. Our students learn to move from asking a question, to testing an idea, to building something that can help people.

That is why the workshop aimed to introduce students to the fundamentals and applications of STEM projects. We also wanted to show how STEM concepts can be used to address real-world problems, and to encourage students to consider STEM-related fields for their future studies and careers. Beyond knowledge, the workshop aimed to nurture critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, and to build a culture of research and exploration grounded in the scientific method.

From Seminar to Hands-On Practice

The program began with a seminar delivered by Rio Hermantara, S.Si., M.Biotech., Ph.D., Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences, i3L University. The session introduced the core concepts of STEM and illustrated how they are applied in science and in everyday life. It also gave students a glimpse of how university-level science works, and how a good scientific investigation begins long before any experiment is run.

The seminar was followed by a workshop in which students turned theory into practice. Working through the early stages of a STEM project, they practiced:

• Formulating problem statements, learning to define a problem clearly and in a way that can be investigated;
• Formulating questions, moving from broad curiosity to focused, researchable questions; and
• Working systematically in STEM, following a structured, step-by-step approach in planning and conducting a project.

These skills matter because every scientific project, whether in a school laboratory or a research institute, starts with a well-defined problem and a well-framed question. Learning to think this way helps students make sense of what they observe and design their investigations with purpose.

The workshop also has a practical purpose in the school’s Grade 11 curriculum. Students will join the Live In Program, in which they stay in a village in Central Java. There they will carry out research and apply STEM concepts to the realities of community life. The skills practiced in the workshop will help them observe their surroundings carefully, identify genuine problems, and plan their investigations methodically.

Strengthening the School–University Partnership

The activity reflects i3L’s commitment to supporting science education beyond its own campus. SMA Global Mandiri took charge of participant registration, the venue, and logistics. i3L provided the speaker, workshop materials, and academic insights. Together, the two institutions aim to show students that science can be enjoyable, relevant, and within their reach.

For i3L, the collaboration also creates an opportunity to introduce prospective students to university-level STEM learning and to the study programs offered by the School of Health and Life Sciences. By sparking curiosity at an early stage, we hope to inspire the next generation of scientists, innovators, and problem-solvers.

As the students move on to their Live In Program research and prepare for the Science Expo, i3L University looks forward to continuing this journey with them and to many more collaborations with schools that share our passion for science.