Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The fourth annual "Festival of Science and Atom" was held in Uzbekistan. This year, the science festival became a platform where schoolchildren and students themselves played the main role.

The program of the event, organized with the support of the Uzatom Agency and Rosatom State Corporation, was aimed at using games and interactive formats to talk about nuclear science and draw the attention of schoolchildren and students to engineering and technical specialties. During these three days, about 550 schoolchildren and students plunged into the world of nuclear science and technology. According to the participants of the festival, it was cool, positive and exciting.

The festival was held at three venues: in the Tashkent branch of NRNU MEPhI (TF NRNU MEPhI), at the Information Center for Nuclear Technologies (ICNT) and at school No. 10 in the village of Uchkulach, Farish district, Jizzakh region. 

The organizers presented an expanded program of events with interactive formats, including a scientific quest of intellectual games, a tour for schoolchildren of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, where they saw with their own eyes modern laboratories in nuclear physics, VR, optics, chemistry and much more. In addition, with the help of creative videos, students told schoolchildren about the areas of study at the branch and the work of future nuclear and power engineers. According to the results of the first day within the framework of the festival, 180 schoolchildren from the capital’s schools visited the NRNU MEPhI branch.

The second day of the festival was held at the ICNT, where schoolchildren participated in chemical experiments of the scientific show "Smart Tashkent". One of the brightest events of the day was an event of a new format of the ICNT - a scientific battle with the participation of students of the Faculty of National Research Nuclear University MEPhI on the topic "High Power Reactors VS Small Modular Reactors". In the format of a dynamic discussion, the participants spoke about the trends and solutions offered by the nuclear power industry, about different types of reactors, their advantages, technologies, as well as their development prospects. The performances of the teams were actively commented on by experts consisting of representatives of the Uzatom Agency, students of six universities in Tashkent, where future power engineers, physicists and engineers are trained.

School No. 10 of the Uchkulach village of Farish district in Jizzakh region, which is not far from the research base of the priority site for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, became a special platform for this festival. The educational and entertainment program was conducted by ICAT volunteers, students of the NRNU TF. Aziza Jumaniezova, chief specialist of the press service of the Uzatom Agency, held an interactive presentation on the importance of electricity and the impact of nuclear energy on the quality of life of people.

Anastasia Dmitrieva, computer science teacher at school No. 321, comments: “I myself, like my students, attended this event for the first time. Children are actually surprised that we have such events, at least once a year. The most important thing that we like here is the atmosphere, because there is a stereotypical opinion that people of science are boring, that they do nothing and are not interested in anything other than their disciplines. But we see that here are not only people who are truly passionate about their work, but also people who are personalities, they are diversified, erudite, very friendly. Everything goes very smoothly and easily. We hope that we can be at this festival every year.”

“I am participating in this festival for the second year and I am simply delighted with this day,” writes Kamila Khakimova, a student of the NRNU MEPhI Faculty of Physics, festival volunteer, in her blog, “I am proud of my university and the fact that I am a future power engineer. I will never forget how the applicants put it: “Wow! I didn’t know physicists could be so funny and positive!" In general, breaking stereotypes about your future profession and industry is very useful and interesting. Many thanks to all our children and especially to the organizers of this event.”

The winners of the quest, scientific battle”, as well as the most active participants were awarded with valuable prizes.