Over 900 Children from Six Countries Participate in Adyghe State University Science Festival at the Smena All-Russian Children's Center

The team behind the "Science Around. Third Season" project, implemented by Adyghe State University with the support of a grant from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science as part of the Decade of Science and Technology, held a major science festival at the Smena All-Russian Children's Center. 

The festival venues were attended by nearly all of the children currently camping at Smena—over 900 schoolchildren from 66 regions of Russia and five countries: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Moldova.

The goal of the festival is to popularize science among children and adolescents. This year, the organizers showcased both popular interactive platforms from previous years and new ones created specifically for the third season. For example, one of the new platforms featured a linguistic detective game, cracking the codes of dictionary words. The idea was included in the festival program after winning the "Science on Air" student science popularization competition, held for the first time at Adyghe State University. This intensive science education program helped transform routine memorization of spelling rules into highly intensive cognitive exploration. Instead of rote memorization, participants used methods of historical and etymological analysis and mnemonic coding, acting as a detective agency. 

" By holding such festivals, we aim not only to popularize science among schoolchildren but also to prepare a generation of young popularizers. In previous festivals, most of the ideas and activities were developed by our experienced teachers and scientists—professional popularizers. Now we also strive to motivate students, who perhaps have a better understanding of modern schoolchildren—to create interesting and effective popular science platforms for future graduates and potential researchers," said Elena Kukva  , the project coordinator and head of the ASU Research Initiatives Department.

Overall, participants were able to visit more than 15 interactive platforms on chemistry, physics, astronomy, mathematics, biology, as well as modern fields such as robotics, VR technology, and eSports. Those interested also competed in an intellectual games championship and learned new things at the Science Film Lab. Maxim Shapovalov, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Head of the Laboratory for Bioecological Monitoring of Invertebrates at Adygea State University, and a member of the Russian Entomological Society, the Russian Knowledge Society, and the Russian Geographical Society, delivered a popular science lecture entitled "Alien Species Invasions, or How to Survive the Biological Apocalypse!"

"The Science Festival organized by Adyghe State University is becoming a great tradition at Smena. We see children's growing interest in the natural sciences and their joyful engagement in practical activities. Thanks to our educational infrastructure and the special conditions of the summer camp, such events are not only a useful activity for children but also a true celebration. I am confident that the Science Festival at our Center will become a starting point for great discoveries in the future," noted Igor Zhuravlev, Director of the Smena All-Russian Children's Center .

As a reminder, "Science Around. Third Season" is being implemented to promote Russian scientific achievements in the natural, mathematical, and engineering sciences, draw attention to the work of scientists, showcase the results of scientific research, and enhance the image of scientists and engineers in the minds of schoolchildren. Furthermore, the project's events are designed to help young people understand the potential of careers in technology. The project involves renowned Russian popularizers of mathematics and its applications, astrophysics, chemistry, biology, engineering, research and development in space exploration, and the humanities, which are crucial for preserving the humanistic component amid the country's commitment to technological leadership.

As part of the project, street science festivals and the "Science Around. Third Season" festivals will be held at the Orlyonok and Smena All-Russian Children's Centers by the end of the year. The media library of popular science lectures and the "What Academicians Talk About" podcast will be expanded. An interdisciplinary quiz, "Russia Decides," and the second family mathematics olympiad, "From A to Z," have been developed. A series of online lessons on natural sciences, mathematics, information technology, space science, and engineering for schoolchildren across the country are planned. In addition, renowned lecturers from the project will give lectures and master classes at traditional summer schools in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at the Gornaya Legenda ASU training and production facility.

More photos from the festival are here.