From Classroom to Construction: Footprints Students Explore the Future of Engineering at ISI STEEL

PHNOM PENH, February 16, 2026 — While textbooks provide the foundation, the true inspiration for a career in engineering often comes from the hum of a factory floor. On February 10–11, students from Footprints International School stepped into the heart of Cambodia’s industrial sector with an immersive tour of ISI STEEL.

As the market leader in Cambodia’s steel processing sector, ISI STEEL served as a massive, living classroom for students to see STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in its most practical form.

Innovation in Action

During the tour, students observed the intricate processes that transform raw materials into the steel structures that define modern Cambodia. The visit focused on several key engineering concepts:

• Manufacturing Excellence: Students witnessed the “Roll Former” process and the high-tech machinery used to create products like ISI PALM and ISI PIPE.
• Corrosion Science: A look inside the ISI Galvanizing Plant—the first of its kind in Cambodia—showed students how molten zinc is used to protect steel, a vital lesson in chemical engineering and material science.
• Standards & Quality: Understanding the importance of ISO 9001:2015 and Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) taught students that global engineering success relies on precision and integrity.

Why Field Trips Empower STEM Learners

At Schools Cambodia, we advocate for these “Industrial STEM” experiences because they provide:

1. Contextual Learning: Seeing a massive galvanized coil being transported helps students visualize the physics and chemistry they study in school.
2. Career Clarity: Interacting with local specialists helps students “dream bigger” and realize that world-class engineering careers are available right here in Cambodia.
3. Future-Proofing: As Cambodia’s Industrial Development Policy (IDP) advances, students with firsthand knowledge of these industries will be at a distinct advantage.