The educational marathon "Knowledge.Science"

On October 31, the educational marathon "Knowledge.Science". For two days, leading scientists, government officials, representatives of business and the media talked with more than 5,000 schoolchildren, students and young scientists from 80 regions of Russia, as well as Abkhazia. The young people discussed the present and future of Russian science with outstanding lecturers, and got acquainted with cutting-edge developments from various fields. The students also participated in interactive scientific experiments and master classes, quizzes and sweepstakes and received more than 4,000 books from Znanie as a gift.Libraries".

The leitmotif of the marathon was the idea that Russian science is the pride and mainstay of national power. And Russian scientists contribute not only to strengthening the scientific and technological sovereignty of the country, but also to the world treasury of knowledge, determining the future of mankind.

Outstanding lecturers told the young people in a simple and fascinating way how closely science is connected with all spheres of our lives, what opportunities it gives to everyone, how it turns fiction into reality and why it is the key to a strong and successful future. And according to a survey of marathon participants, 81% of the students have increased their interest in Russian science over the past two days. We have noticed that there are many young scientists in Russian science — 80%. And 73% of respondents noted that they consider Russia to be one of the world leaders in the field of science and technology.

"Science is about the sovereignty of our country, and in a variety of ways. Science is about bridges between nations. It is important to talk about science in order to attract more and more young talented specialists, so that schoolchildren choose professions in this field. And it's good that many parents today would like a future in science for their children. We recently conducted a survey together with VTsIOM and it turned out that two thirds of the Russian population is interested in their children and grandchildren linking their future with scientific activity. Marathon "Knowledge.Science has contributed to this, and I hope that the performances of our outstanding lecturers have inspired, interested the children, and shown them prospects so that young people can be deservedly and justly proud of the achievements of Russian science and Russian scientists and researchers, and continue their journey," said Maxim Dreval, Director General of the Znanie Society.

The marathon, organized by the Znanie Society and Moscow Polytechnic University with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, is dedicated to the Decade of Science and Technology. The large-scale educational event brought together schoolchildren, students, young scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences, State Scientific Centers, winners and prize-winners of Olympiads in various subjects, participants in the Circle Movement of the National Technical Initiative, as well as active youth from all over Russia.

The program was designed so that each participant would find something important for themselves. Open lectures and dialogues covered several key areas. The students learned how fundamental discoveries become a driver of economic growth and the basis of technological sovereignty. Considerable attention was paid to the researchers themselves — their professional path, motivation and career paths in modern Russia, so that schoolchildren and students would see inspiring examples for themselves. They also discussed modern methods of popularizing science — how, using digital formats, to make complex knowledge accessible and exciting for everyone.

On the main stage of the marathon "Knowledge.Science" was addressed by Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Vitaly Saveliev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Sergey Tsivilev, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, Mikhail Kovalchuk, Director of the Institute of Cognitive Research, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Biological and Philological Sciences of St. Petersburg State University Tatiana Chernihiv, TV presenter, Honored Professor of the Geography Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Doctor of Biological Sciences Nikolai Drozdov and many others.

Tricolor, Russia's largest satellite television operator, and the Znanie Society announced the launch of a new educational TV channel at the marathon and signed a cooperation agreement. The channel's program will combine all the best films, podcasts, and lectures of the Znanie Society — almost 300 pieces of content during the first broadcast alone, and more than 40 million Russians will see it.

The marathon has ended, but the All-Russian educational campaign "Science around Us" continues, which covers all regions of Russia. More than 300 lectures will be held, during which schoolchildren and students will visit the leading scientific centers of the country. Young people will learn about the development of regional science, measures to support research and career opportunities that open up for talented children in various fields. The bright events of the campaign will be the meetings of the governors with students and young scientists at the sites of federal universities, regional research centers and universities participating in the Priority 2030 program. In the format of an open dialogue, 25 materials have been prepared in the library for anyone who wants to give a lecture as part of the campaign.