Here at St. Andrews International School Sukhumvit S107, our instructors do their best in integrating critical thinking and problem-solving skills into the youth as part of the holistic learning system of the school.

This assists in preparing the primary and secondary schoolchildren for their future endeavours in college or university studies. It should also affect their adult careers as part of the global or national workforce.

Critical thinking promotes independent and self-sufficient knowledge-seeking and solution creation that even extends to their careers. But this all starts with foundational training at school.

Our teachers believe in our holistic approach to learning and how that helps the children become self-dependent and critical thinkers who aren’t easily swayed by misinformation.

We’ll train these young minds to think for themselves and become independent researchers in their own right. Their critical thinking skill development should also help foster the right knowledge, attitude and skills needed to reach their full potential.

The Importance of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Explained

In other academic settings, children tend to pick up critical thinking skills much later in life and instead learn about basic arithmetic, literacy, and the value of rote memorisation, and the like.

However, it is possible to give foundational training to children on the values of critical thinking and problem solving that extend beyond solving math problems without it being multiple choice or doing creative writing essays on deep subjects.

St. Andrews Sukhumvit has a myriad of strategies for teaching critical thinking skills to youngsters that can benefit them in their school and work careers.

First, what is critical thinking? Simply put, it’s thinking “critically” or questioning the things you learn to better understand such concepts. Educators at St. Andrews teach their children such skills and how they apply to academics, languages, the creative arts, sports, and daily life.

Our instructors appreciate the importance of critical-thinking skills and how ubiquitous they are in every discipline, from academics to beyond that.

These young minds will find it advantageous to learn how to think critically early on to manage different aspects of their lives and to also get more out of their education.

Problem solving and critical thinking separates machines and robots from the sentience of mankind, with it leading to innovation, knowledge application, and so forth.

The teachers are here to open the children’s eyes to experimentation, reason, and logic.

Developing the Critical Thinking Skills of St. Andrews Sukhumvit Children

It’s important for young learners to know how to put the pieces of a puzzle together on their own, from literal puzzles they solve to amuse themselves to more abstract and proverbial puzzles that they could apply to their school or daily life.

It is the goal of St. Andrews Sukhumvit to teach these good pupils the value of critical thinking when involving their decision-making.

This will help them in choosing careers in the future or even money management or voting for the leaders of their nation. Instilling such skills allows your child to act on new information in an informed and critical manner with minimal bias.

They become more analytical and less biased, making them more adaptable to a changing world. Critical thinkers are also more proactive than reactive to the changes around them.

There’s no better way to prepare a child than through holistic learning that also includes how to think critically, which means doing your research and viewing a concept or problem through multiple perspectives.

Teach How Logic and Reason Work

Instead of learning only by regret and hindsight, a child could also apply the lessons from past mistakes to future success. Use past experiences to shape better future outcomes and mitigate future mistakes.

Critical thinking is also about planning, research, development of ideas, and (of course) criticising answers to test their mettle and see if they’re the solution to a given problem.

The school is able to teach children how to solve problems through critical thinking by activities such as discussions, making hypotheses, coming up with theories, and doing experimentation or figuring out practical applications of the things they do.

The school also makes sure that the ideas of the children aren’t wholly dependent on rote memorisation, reciting answers from recent memory, and random (not intelligent) guesswork of multiple-choice answers on their tests, quizzes, and exams.

Analysis of problems to solve them involves the understanding that sometimes there can be more than one answer and that some answers are better than others.

There are also times, like in the case of numbers, mathematics, and arithmetic where there is only one correct answer so figuring out the formula is the key to unlocking such objective problems.

Make Time and Room for Reflection

Having time to reflect on the meaning behind what’s being taught to them allows our children to gain a deeper understanding of such concepts and ideas.

A child willing to push back on preconceived notions and question assumptions is a child that can think for himself. He should have time and room to reflect on every answer he comes up with.

Instead of having children who only memorise the answers that are spoon-fed to them, such that they soon forget such answers when no longer relevant to them, our holistic platform will encourage discussions behind the meaning and reason behind terms and formulas.

A critical-thinking child won’t be able to pass our examinations by merely having the answer key on hand or doing an open-book test. They should also show their work and explain their answers.

Their critical thinking training won’t just involve philosophy and nebulous theories on the meaning of life. They can apply their thinking to reality as well, so they can be both the architects and engineers of their fate.

They should be able to communicate to the teacher and their classmates that they’ve arrived at their conclusion instead of jumping to conclusions or being too book-dependent without any critical or independent thought.

Asking Open-Ended Questions for More Consideration

Our teachers also pose open-ended questions to our students to give room for discussions that include diverse or even opposing ideas, thus there’s a critical lens to every concept instead of blind acceptance to spoon-fed lessons.

We hone our young learners’ critical-thinking skills through gathering evidence, lots of reading for research, applying things to real-life experience, letting answers arrive at their logical conclusions, and making credible explanations for every answer.

We encourage our children to express themselves instead of just reciting textbook facts by having them take positions on open-ended questions and explain the meaning behind the facts and figures they’ve gathered.

Finally, we encourage these young ones to come up with creative solutions to problems that require thinking out of the box while still applying logic to their proposal.

To a child, the concept of critical thinking might seem too nebulous to teach at first, but we here at St. Andrews have found multiple intuitive and applicable ways to show, not tell them how to think critically and practise active learning.

A School Devoted to Developing Your Child’s Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

At St. Andrews Sukhumvit, we teach the youth entrusted to our international school’s care that it’s okay to think before they act. We also teach them to analyse even their own intuition to make informed decisions. All of these are part of their training to eventually grow into holistically-developed adults with strong leadership skills.

St. Andrews International School Sukhumvit S107 belongs to the Cognita school group, which in turn is a global organisation that owns and operates schools across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

We encourage you to learn more about the St. Andrews campus by filling out our online form and booking a school tour. You may also watch our school’s personalised interactive virtual campus tour.

STEM-based jobs are growing at nearly twice the rate of non-STEM occupations. St. Andrews International School Sukhumvit S107 takes this fact to heart as we prepare our learners to take advantage of these opportunities.

Encompassing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM equips young minds to solve complex issues. It empowers them to become future innovators who can help better the world.

St. Andrews Sukhumvit approaches STEM learning from a holistic perspective. Instead of teaching subjects separately, we promote interconnected learning experiences that mirror real-world challenges. Beyond that, our curriculum also adopts age-appropriate progression. That means we help children build subject mastery while instilling a growth mindset.

Hence, STEM learning at S107 is made for well-rounded learners. It offers an educational experience that inspires curiosity, fuels imagination, and prepares children to lead with innovation.

STEM’s Role in Shaping Young Minds for a Promising Future

Statistics claim that 65% of children entering primary school may someday work in jobs that don’t exist today. Although this prediction sounds too striking, it captures the fast pace of technological advancements.

One of the many ways learners can take advantage of this opening is through STEM education.

Contrary to popular belief, STEM goes beyond teaching content knowledge. STEM activities often involve hands-on experimentation, deepening their understanding of cause-effect relationships. Some activities are also designed to reflect real-life problems. Solving these activities will aid young learners hone their creative thinking skills.

STEM projects can also help children develop teamwork and communication skills. They reflect practices in science, technology, and engineering fields that promote collaboration. Coupled with analytical skills and creativity, STEM learners enjoy a wide spectrum of opportunities.

Demand for STEM-based professionals is globally on the rise. Even fields outside the traditional scope are increasingly relying on STEM-associated skills. That includes data-driven decision-making and technological literacy.

All these cements the undeniable relevance of STEM education.

The S107 Stamp: How the British Curriculum Is Embedded in Our STEM Education

The world knows British education for its balance of academic rigour and holistic development. It is this similar framework that drives our STEM education at St. Andrews Sukhumvit.

By offering a space for experimental learning, the British curriculum helps our learners hone essential skills. From problem-solving to adaptability, these skills are crucial for succeeding in the modern world.

At S107, our STEM programme blends dynamic learning with the British educational model. That means hands-on discoveries during early education turn into advanced problem-solving in the later years.

Most children will build a strong academic foundation while nurturing their love for lifelong learning.

Early Years: Hands-On Discoveries

Children are naturally curious during the earliest stages of education. Through play-based learning, St. Andrews Sukhumvit harnesses this innate curiosity.

Building with toy blocks and observing nature are some age-appropriate activities our young learners experience. For instance, playing with magnets and kid-friendly materials facilitates exploration. It paves the way for children to learn about forces through tactile engagement.

In this stage, our teachers take a more enquiry-led approach. Prompting questions like “What happens if—?” can stimulate interest in cause-effect relationships. Through integrating basic scientific concepts with play, early STEM education becomes impactful.

Primary Years: Concept-Based Explorations

Progressing into the primary years, STEM learning becomes more structured. However, with the British curriculum, children at S107 still experience hands-on activities.

Science lessons may involve simple experiments, such as observing plant growth under certain conditions. Similar activities prompt children to begin hypothesising and recording findings. These are also opportunities for our learners to connect theory with practice.

Mathematics lessons also go beyond teaching arithmetic. At St. Andrews, children learn to interpret data and measure accurately. These skills serve as a foundation for problem-solving and logical reasoning. Basic coding exercises are also introduced to help children navigate technology.

Finally, primary years at S107 offer collaborative learning. For example, group projects like designing and testing a bridge model can mirror real-life teamwork. Such an activity highlights engineering principles like communication and cooperative problem-solving.

Secondary Years: Advanced STEM Applications

STEM education during the secondary years shifts to a more advanced, real-world focus. As children deepen their understanding of theories, they are encouraged to apply their knowledge to solve complex problems.

An example would be a chemistry project developing eco-friendly products. It is an ideal activity for learners to integrate science, design, and sustainable engineering concepts.

Mathematics also becomes more complex. Lessons may delve into abstract reasoning and data analysis—all framed within practical applications. Doing so prepares our learners for higher education while equipping them to think critically in the digital world.

All these highlights how secondary-year STEM education emphasises real-world connections. Projects often handle sustainability issues, developing healthcare solutions, and other timely innovations.

This holistic approach does not stop supporting children for academic and professional success. It also inspires them to become impactful innovators, contributing to a better future.

Why St. Andrews Sukhumvit Is a Standout Choice for STEM Education

Apart from our robust British education, St. Andrews Sukhumvit offers a school environment that enhances this curriculum. Our approach prepares our children for success while empowering them to share their ideas confidently.

People in Thailand know S107 for its world-class facilities. Coupled with enriching activities, learners experience STEM education at its current best.

For instance, our laboratories are perfect for conducting chemistry experiments. Meanwhile, we have designated safe spaces for demonstrating physics concepts. We also take pride in our state-of-the-art digital tools and learning technologies.

We believe access to the latest resources will help our children remain on the edge of technological literacy. Hence, integrating these resources into the lessons is a responsibility our educators uphold.

Beyond the classroom, S107 also offers extracurricular programmes to complement STEM learning. Ranging from clubs to workshops to competitions, our learners enjoy an abundance of hands-on opportunities. These serve as spaces for them to demonstrate their knowledge and creativity.

Additionally, we invite children to lead and innovate through STEM initiatives. This can be done in the form of science fairs or environmental sustainability projects.

These platforms inspire young minds to pursue independent research. Some may even develop innovative solutions to problems plaguing our society. Through this rich ecosystem of resources and experiences, St. Andrews Sukhumvit offers an unparalleled STEM education.

Open the Doors to a Brighter Future for Your STEM Learner at St. Andrews Sukhumvit!

From locals to expat families, many parents trust St. Andrews International School Sukhumvit S107 to help pave their child’s promising future.

As a testament to this, we’ve produced graduates who took their higher education in 13 different prestigious universities and colleges in Thailand alone. Meanwhile, S107 graduates who pursued their degrees abroad have reached 80+ world-class institutions. That proves how globally competent our learners are.

With our British curriculum and state-of-the-art resources, your child can confidently find their footing in the world of STEM. Our focus on holistic learning makes us the standout choice for families who wish to nurture the world’s next innovators.

If you have further enquiries about our international school in Thailand, consider filling out our enquiry form. We also invite you to book a personal campus tour. Your child will find it fun to explore our facilities and feel at home in their potentially new school. Alternatively, you may have a virtual tour if you cannot visit us in person.