"A real festival of science and career opportunities": how the final of the All-Russian Olympiad in Mathematics was held

Almost 500 schoolchildren from 82 regions of the Russian Federation took part in the final of the All-Russian Olympiad in Mathematics. The competition program included not only two five-hour rounds, but also lectures by professors, excursions to the offices of IT giants, watching a film about mathematicians, and, of course, a solemn summing up and awarding of the winners. The Izvestia publication describes how the final of the Olympiad was held, what the organizers, scientists and parents of the participants think about the event.

What was it like

The final of the All-Russian Olympiad of Schoolchildren in Mathematics was held in the capital from April 14 to 20 and was organized by the Central University. 499 pupils of grades 9-11 competed for the victory, of which the jury determined 29 winners and 195 prize-winners. The winners' diplomas were awarded to schoolchildren from Moscow, Tatarstan, St. Petersburg, Sverdlovsk, Kurgan, Chelyabinsk and Novosibirsk regions. The winners of the competition live in 30 regions, most of them in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Tatarstan, Moscow, Tyumen, Ulyanovsk and Novosibirsk regions.

The organizers of the final stage of the Higher School of Economics in Mathematics this year were the Ministry of Education, the Moscow Department of Education, the Lednev Institute and the Central University with the support of T-Bank, Sberbank and X5 Tech.

The rounds of the Olympiad were held on April 15 and 16 at the Central University. Each one has five hours to solve four tasks. The work was checked by experts from leading universities and scientific institutes.

Evgeny Ivashkevich, rector of the Central University and co-chairman of the organizing Committee, noted at the closing ceremony that everything was clear at the Olympics: the task was given, it had to be solved, but in real life this almost never happens.

— Looking at my life's journey of almost 40 years, I can say that the most typical statement of a task that you will have to solve in real life is: "Go there, I don't know where, bring this, I don't know what, but make sure that everyone feels good." And I recommend that you learn to solve such problems too," Ivashkevich addressed the students.

Fuss-free and comfortable

Usually, the final of the Higher School of Economics in mathematics takes place in the regions. This year it was held in Moscow for the first time. Logistics is the main problem of any big event. Almost 500 children, more than 200 parents and accompanying persons, many hotels, transfers in Moscow...

— I rate the organization of the final stage of the Higher School of Economics in Mathematics, which was held by the Central University for the first time this year, at a good level. Becoming a platform for the country's main intellectual competition, hosting 499 finalists from 82 regions, is a huge responsibility, and the University has coped with it," says Alexander Gasnikov, Rector of Innopolis University, Doctor of Physico—Mathematical Sciences.

But the finals are not just about the rounds. Alexander Gasnikov believes that the key achievement of the organizers is a rich extra-Olympic program.

"The organizers have turned several days of the Olympiad into a real festival of science and career opportunities," the expert emphasizes. — Leading experts from T-Bank, other major companies, and the best universities in the country gave lectures to the participants.

The organizers have made three large blocks: industry, universities and culture.

First, excursions to the offices of partner companies and to the Central University itself. The students were told where mathematics can be useful in real business, and what internships are available for high school students.

Leading universities in the country, including MIPT, HSE, and Central University, delegated their professors and researchers who lectured participants on mathematics, how it is used in business, the paradoxes of statistics, and artificial intelligence in the mathematical sense.

The cultural program was also intense: the students visited VDNKh, saw the main sights of Moscow, and visited the Steklov Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where many famous scientists work.

— We tried our best, especially considering that many of the guys from the regions and some have never been to Moscow, to show the beauty of our capital, - says Ekaterina Protsko, head of attracting applicants and the Olympic track of the Central University.

A separate episode is the screening of the movie "Lovers of Mathematics". After watching the film, the students met with the creators of the film: leading Russian mathematician Alexander Gasnikov and director Olga Azhnakina.

—The mother of one participant wrote that the way the Mathematics Olympiad was organized this year at the Central University really showed that mathematics is the queen of sciences," Protsko quotes.

The right to be around

This year, the organizers allowed parents to attend the closing ceremony for the first time. Natalia Efimtseva, the mother of Tala Nikitina, a ninth-grader from Dolgoprudny, says this is a big step forward and a sign of respect for families.

— One of the most valuable moments of organizing the final stage is the opportunity for parents, relatives and friends to attend the closing ceremony. When you see your child going through such a serious stage, you want to be there, support, share both joy and difficult emotions," she explains.

Participation in Olympiads, Natalia says, allows you to assess your level and communicate with like—minded peers and mentors.

Olga Nikolaeva's son from Penza won the Olympic Games last year. This year, the student did not receive a diploma, but he was satisfied with his participation thanks not only to his mathematical practice, but also to new acquaintances and positive emotions.

— What we managed to see through my son's online broadcasts and messages made a huge impression - the organization of the event is truly amazing. Accommodation, opening and closing ceremonies. I would especially like to mention the closing, a very bright and warm event," emphasizes Olga Nikolaeva.
According to the participant's mother, the entertainment and leisure activities that took place in parallel with the Olympics were also very enjoyable.
"There was a sense of caring for the children, their emotional state and involvement," she notes. — Such events inspire children with self-confidence and inspire them to achieve new things.

The road to the dream

Ekaterina Protsko, who has been involved in Olympiads for many years, says that many schoolchildren start preparing from the fifth or sixth grade and go to the finals for several years. Getting there is already a huge achievement, which shows the level of knowledge. In addition, the finalists can compare themselves with the best students in the country. And the winners get the right to represent Russia at the international Olympiad.

— As for admission, winners and prize-winners can enter universities without entrance exams. The VsOS diploma is valid for four years. At the Central University, a prize is also awarded with a grant for 100% of the tuition fee," says the head of the Olympiad track at the Central University.

The expert also notes that large companies are starting to notice talented schoolchildren earlier.

— Students in grades 9-11 already have the opportunity to do internships and work on projects. It's very cool that we are working with schoolchildren," she emphasizes.

Alexander Gasnikov believes that the All—Russian Olympiad of schoolchildren in Mathematics is not just a competition for solving problems. This is the road to the professional community of mathematicians, as well as the opportunity to show their knowledge not only in their hometown, but at the national level.

— In addition, at the national level, tasks are formulated in such a way as to cut off random luck. Winning the final stage is a well—deserved recognition of achievements in the professional community, which may mean more to the younger generation than the USE scores," the expert notes.

And, the scientist is sure, it is a powerful simulator of flexible skills, "which in the modern world are valued no less than the ability to take integrals."

The future of science

— On appeal, you must clearly, logically and convincingly explain your decision to the jury — this is a skill of public defense, presentation of ideas. Or teamwork: at the training camp before the finals, the guys solve problems together, break down a complex problem into parts, and learn to listen to each other. Time management and stress tolerance — when the hours are running out on a tour, and the task is not yet completed, you learn to manage emotions and distribute forces. Critical thinking and attention to detail are obvious here," Gasnikov explains.

But there is something less obvious, but no less important: empathy and support. After the tours, the elders help the younger ones, sort out mistakes, cheer for each other.

— The ability to rejoice in someone else's success and constructively perceive defeat is the basis of emotional intelligence. It is these people who later become not just good mathematicians or programmers, but leaders who know how to lead teams, negotiate and get out of crises," emphasizes the Doctor of Sciences.

In his opinion, such an integrated approach, combining serious intellectual competition with a deep educational, career guidance and cultural program, is what is needed to educate the future leaders of science in our country.