Innovedex 2019
"Starting Spark"

Background of the 2019 Project

Due to the rapid changes in the current global social and economic landscape, it is crucial for the new generation to possess knowledge and skills in technology, programming, and robotics. Youth should be guided and trained with appropriate curricula to stay up-to-date with modern times and meet the demands of future labor markets and industries.

Innovedex believes that today's technology can be effectively taught and learned by youth aged 13-18, or from grades 7 to 12. Students do not need prior knowledge in science or computer science; they just need the opportunity to learn. Therefore, Innovedex, in collaboration with Debsirin School, under the direction of Mr. Suphot Latham, the principal, teachers, and the student committee, along with TKK Corporation Co., Ltd., has organized this project with support from the Debsirin Alumni Association under the Royal Patronage. The goal is to give Thai youth the opportunity to awaken their potential and prepare for the future.

When registration for the Innovedex 2019 "Starting a Spark" project opened, the intention was to accept only 50 teams. However, from the opening to the closing of registration, there were 355 teams interested and 1,060 students who applied. This included 170 lower secondary teams and 185 upper secondary teams. Geographically, 150 teams were from Bangkok and 205 teams from other provinces, including Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Mai, Saraburi, Nakhon Pathom, Surat Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Lopburi, Chachoengsao, Chainat, Chaiyaphum, Bueng Kan, Amnat Charoen, Chumphon, Nonthaburi, Surin, Songkhla, Singburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan, Chonburi, Lopburi, Udon Thani, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, and Kanchanaburi.

Due to the overwhelming response, the organizers decided to increase the number of teams eligible for training and competition to 75. Each participating team received a robot kit, a programming manual, and a full-day training session from a team of instructors, all free of charge. The Innovedex 2019 Starting Spark project provided 48,000 THB in scholarships, along with trophies, medals, certificates, and opportunities to visit leading industrial automation factories in Thailand.

Innovedex aims to equip students with foundational knowledge in programming and robotics, which can be further developed and guide their choices in higher education. Additionally, the project seeks to create a network of robotics clubs in schools across Thailand. This event was supported by the Debsirin Alumni Association, Debsirin School, and TKK Corporation Co., Ltd., which provided 75 robot kits valued at over 600,000 THB and scholarships totaling 48,000 THB for the top five winning teams in both levels.

Project Outcomes

Innovedex has clear objectives for its project. In the short term, the aim is to provide high school students nationwide with equal access to knowledge, tools, equipment, and skill-testing platforms. In the mid-term, the goal is for students and parents to recognize the importance of having skills in innovation, invention, and the appropriate use of technology in an era where artificial intelligence and automation are widespread. In the long term, the aim is for Thailand to have innovators in every organization and profession, thereby creating high-value labor and technology within the country.

Day One:

On the first day of the event, every student received a robot kit along with the necessary knowledge to use and further develop it on their own. This training was provided by a team of instructors who are students and graduates from various institutions, all of whom have been taught by me over the past ten years. These students have now become capable educators themselves (special thanks to all the former students who volunteered their time to help realize the teacher's dream).

Day Two:

The second day featured a competition with over 50,000 THB in scholarships. The competition rules were collaboratively created by the judges and participants, and all teams used the same materials and equipment for the tasks. I witnessed remarkable overnight genius as students applied their knowledge, tested their ideas, and learned through trial and error, which was evident in the robots they created to compete in the tasks.

Closing Ceremony:

In the final segment of the event, Dr. Suvit Maesincee, the first and current Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, honored us by presiding over the award ceremony. He presented scholarships to the competition winners and provided clear guidance on organizing activities to develop both youth and the nation.