A delegation of ASU students and faculty held two interactive Science Day events at the Orlyonok All-Russian Children's Center.
The objective of the workshop is to support authors in developing vibrant, memorable stories for young children, unlock their creative potential, and foster a sense of community among children's writers.
Science Day events are taking place across the country, timed to coincide with Russian Science Day, celebrated on February 8th. On this occasion, the Orlyonok All-Russian Children's Center hosted laboratory workshops. These activities were organized with the support of the center's partners, including Adygea State University.
The ASU team's inaugural master class, titled "From Alcohol to Tires: How Soviet Chemists Created Synthetic Rubber," was dedicated to the scientific breakthrough achieved by Sergei Vasilyevich Lebedev. Participants learned how, despite a shortage of natural rubber, the Soviet Union was able to establish its own production of synthetic rubber and attain industrial independence. The story was brought to life through hands-on experience: attendees assumed the role of a "polymer design bureau," studied the properties of elastic materials, conducted safe experiments, and explored how molecular structures influence the strength and flexibility of rubber.
The second platform, "Space Engineering Challenge," immersed schoolchildren in the atmosphere of a genuine engineering workshop. From Tsiolkovsky’s visionary ideas to Korolev’s organizational brilliance, participants traced the journey that has led humanity to the stars. During the practical session, students assumed various roles, studied the design of a multistage rocket, and collaboratively assembled a model, emphasizing that space exploration always relies on collective intelligence and teamwork.
As a reminder, ASU is hosting Science Days until February 13. The full program is available here .