Tran Phuong Thao, an 11th‑grade student at Hanoi‑Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, has become a standout in both academics and robotics. Her story offers practical ideas for anyone trying to juggle school, competitions and community projects.

Thao served as deputy leader of Team FTC 24751 Vietnam, guiding the squad to the national championship and then to division runner‑up honors at the international FIRST Tech Challenge held in the United States. She was also the sole Vietnamese recipient of the competition’s “You Inspire Me” badge, a recognition of her communication, teamwork and community impact.

In 2025, Thao’s research group earned First Prize at the Hanoi municipal “Students with Startup Ideas” competition for the “Voibot AI System” project. Building on that success, she organized the STEAM Sprout Season 1 and 2 events, which reached nearly 3,000 students, secured sponsorships and donated more than 1,200 books to six schools.

Thao maintains top academic rankings and a scholarship, and she follows a detailed monthly planning routine that allocates time for classes, homework, projects and personal activities. She sets clear objectives at the start of each month and sticks to the schedule to stay on track.

She also received the 2026 “Living Beautifully Youth” Award from the Hanoi Vietnam Youth Federation, highlighting her balanced achievements. Thao’s disciplined planning shows that students can excel academically while leading award‑winning tech teams and expanding STEM education in their communities.