Happy Anniversary, "Artek": Samara University Participated in Celebration Week at International Children's Center

The "Artek" International Children's Center celebrated its centenary—a unique milestone for everyone familiar with the "Land of Childhood." Samara University, a long-term partner of the center and a participant/co-organizer of its events, presented a thematic zone for schoolchildren.

Samara University participated in Artek's anniversary celebrations with a thematic zone at the IT Festival "From Dream to Progress." The university's booth was visited by Artek campers, staff members with children, and partners. A total of 3,300 children from 89 regions of the Russian Federation and 30 foreign countries participated in the 6th session, "One Hundred Years Along Childhood's Road."

The venue united science, space, and childhood. Here, participants learned about the university, attended workshops, participated in a space exploration history quiz, listened to interactive mini-lectures on developments like the "Aist-2D" satellite model and the "Soyuz" launch vehicle, and personally experienced the accessibility and fascination of neural networks through a "smart camera" that scanned a person's image to create a 3D virtual avatar pose. The final highlight of visiting Samara University's zone was a photo booth conveying the key idea: "You can do anything, and in Samara, you can do even more!"

Sergey Goryainov, Head of the Department for Enrollment Management and Student Support, commented on the festival participation: "Artek's anniversary is truly a major celebration for children and adults, for the center's partners and friends. For years, the 'Land of Childhood' has been a place where dreams and goals are born. Our collaboration with the center is gaining momentum: educational projects introduce children from 89 Russian regions and foreign countries to the opportunities at Samara University. We talk about science, space, IT, nanoengineering, and humanities in simple, engaging language, showing that science is promising, accessible, and exciting. For 9 years, we have shared Artek's values and supported a trajectory where participants in our projects start as finalists and then become students and even university employees."

Olga Kondratovich, Manager Samara University venue during the MDC Artek 100th-anniversary events, noted: "My encounter with Artek once changed my life and led me to Samara University. I was 16 when I saw my name on the list of finalists for the All-Russian Competition of Young Engineering Researchers 'Sputnik' with international participation. Then came admission to Samara University, work as a curator for educational projects, thesis defense, and now – building a professional career within the university walls. As thematic partners, we see the educational demands of the children growing every year. Basic knowledge is no longer enough; they want to practice and create something of their own. It's not just about knowledge, but about prospects, their future, and the education that will help shape their life trajectory. We are supported by the Artek administration, and together we inspire the new generation to love science, space, and future technologies."

The IT Festival "From Dream to Progress" introduced over 400 participants to Samara University's workshops, activities, and opportunities. Some participants noted they had already taken part in the university's projects and are considering it for enrollment.

Marina Kostyushko from Pskov shared her impressions: "Samara University's venue was truly out-of-this-world! Beautiful banners, motivational slogans, and cool gifts. I participated in a mini-quiz and learned a lot about planes and satellites. Everyone got stickers and postcards. The organizers were passionate teachers. Very glad I visited here!" The girl is a finalist of the All-Russian Competition of Young Engineering Researchers "Sputnik" with international participation.

Among the partners of the events at Artek were colleagues and friends of Samara University, including Russian organizations and corporations such as: State Corporation "Roscosmos", Sberbank PJSC, T-Bank, Central University, State Corporation "Rosatom", Sputnix LLC, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU), Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, and others (over 50 organizations total).

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation for Digital Economy, Innovation, Communications, Media, Culture, Tourism, and Sport, Dmitry Chernyshenko, and Minister of Education of the Russian Federation, Sergey Kravtsov, also familiarized themselves with Samara University's workshops.

Thanks to Samara University's participation in the thematic events marking the 100th anniversary of MDC Artek, participants of the 6th session—including adults and children, center partners, and invited organizations—were able to learn about the university's activities, opportunities, faculty, staff, educational programs, and values.

Photos provided by the MDC "Artek" Press Service