RYTHM Foundation is preparing to launch its first project in China through a new partnership with Plan International Hong Kong. The two-year initiative will strengthen inclusive STEM education across five rural primary schools in Dehong Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, with particular attention to girls and children from ethnic minority communities.
Supported by RYTHM Foundation through funding and strategic guidance, the project will be implemented by Plan International China.
The project, Gender-responsive STEM Education in Primary Schools, aims to build children’s knowledge, skills and confidence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It will also support teachers and schools to create more inclusive learning environments.
The programme targets 1,000 primary school students aged 10-12 as direct participants and will train 30 teachers. A further 12,750 primary school students are expected to benefit indirectly.
The initiative builds on Plan International China’s experience delivering STEM education in Yunnan, where its Integrated STEM Project approach has been piloted since 2024.
Expanding Access to STEM Education in Rural China
STEM learning resources and after-school clubs will give children more opportunities to explore these subjects beyond regular lessons. Through technology-enabled learning, the project aims to spark their curiosity and encourage them to develop their interests.
A STEM Tech Festival will extend learning opportunities to students beyond the five participating schools.
Girls and children from ethnic minority communities are central to the project’s focus on inclusion. The initiative will promote gender-responsive STEM learning across the five schools, combining access to resources with teaching practices that address barriers to participation.
Supporting Teachers to Deliver Inclusive STEM Learning
Teacher training will cover gender-responsive teaching methods, helping educators understand how gender can influence learning experiences and participation. This approach will support teachers in encouraging equitable involvement in STEM activities.
Training will also cover digital safety, equipping teachers to guide children as they use technology and digital learning resources.
A STEM Club Guidance Manual will provide practical support for running the after-school clubs and putting inclusive teaching methods into practice.
Building Lasting Improvements Across Five Schools
The partnership will also support efforts to translate provincial education frameworks into programmes at school level. This connects the project’s classroom and club activities with wider education priorities and supports the implementation of these frameworks.
To help sustain the work beyond RYTHM Foundation’s two-year funding period, the project plans to establish a cross-school STEM teacher network coordinated by the Education Bureau. Trained teachers will share resources and teaching practices, with some serving as master trainers for other educators. Plan International China will provide continued technical support.
Through this partnership, RYTHM Foundation will support Plan International Hong Kong’s work to broaden learning opportunities in rural Yunnan. By supporting both children and the teachers who guide them, the project aims to build a stronger foundation for inclusive STEM education in rural China.
