"Conversations about important things" on February 2 — topic and lesson program

On Monday, February 2, another lesson from the series "Conversations about important things" will take place in Russian schools and colleges. The lesson dedicated to the Day of Russian Science will be devoted to research activities. Izvestia tells us how the lesson will go in different classes.

"Talking about important things" on February 2 — the topic of the lesson

The lesson will be held on the eve of Russian Science Day, which is celebrated on February 8, and will focus on the role of science in the life of society and the state. The purpose of the lesson is to broaden students' understanding of the achievements, priorities and mechanisms of state support for domestic science, as well as to create respect for scientific work and an understanding of the responsibility of a scientist.

The lesson is recommended to be conducted in the format of an informative conversation with elements of discussion and practical work. Vera Vil, Head of the Laboratory of the Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, winner of the Challenge Award, will speak as a federal speaker. All necessary methodological materials, including videos, presentations and handouts, are available on the official portal of the project.

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"Conversations about important things" February 2 — lesson program

For elementary school students, the lesson will begin with a conversation about how science affects people's daily lives. The teacher will bring the children to the idea that many things and phenomena that seem simple and familiar today have become so only thanks to the work of scientists. Using the example of great scientists — Dmitry Mendeleev, Mikhail Lomonosov, Ivan Pavlov, Sergei Lebedev — elementary school students will learn about the specific discoveries of Russian researchers who changed the world. And the interactive task "Truth or fiction" will help them consolidate their knowledge. One of the central topics will be the question of a scientist's responsibility to his country, other people and nature.

Students in grades 5-7 will begin the lesson by discussing the discoveries of Russian scientists who have changed the world: from the first artificial satellite of the Earth and a peaceful atom to radio and a laser. The children will also learn about the famous self-taught inventor Ivan Kulibin, whose name has become a household name. During the practical task "Rationalization", students will try themselves in the role of inventors, offering their own ways to improve familiar objects and things. The second part of the conversation will be devoted to modern science: technological sovereignty, global challenges and support for young researchers. Teenagers will learn about scientific mega-installations, the role of the Kurchatov Institute in the development of nuclear physics and the contribution of academician Evgeny Velikhov to the project of the International Experimental Thermonuclear Reactor (ITER). At the end of the lesson, students will talk about ethics and responsibility in science.

For students in grades 8-9, the conversation will focus on the dilemma between the limitlessness of knowledge and the ethical framework of science. The teenagers will take a closer look at the legacy of academician Evgeny Velikhov and the importance of the international ITER project for the future of energy. The interactive task "Scientific discoveries and inventions of scientists" actualizes their knowledge. The key practical part will be the task "Consequences map: where is the border of control?". Divided into groups, students will analyze hypothetical inventions (a mind-reading device, a pill for fear, etc.) and the possible consequences of their use. In the final part of the lesson, the teacher will talk about the opportunities for young researchers in Russia and bring teenagers to the idea that science is a space for creative searches, mistakes and responsible discoveries.

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High school students will begin the lesson with a philosophical question about the limits of scientific knowledge. Using the example of student inventor Arkady Kudritsky, who created a system for growing crops in space, students will discuss the motivation of modern young scientists. The central event of the lesson will be a debate within the framework of the practical assignment "Science and responsibility". The teams will have to analyze the ethical dilemmas associated with hypothetical scientific discoveries and present arguments for and against them, assessing the social consequences. In conclusion, high school students will learn about government programs to support young scientists and discuss the link between the development of science and the technological sovereignty of the country.

"Conversations about important things" on February 2 — about the project

"Conversations about important things" is a series of extracurricular activities dedicated to the history, culture and geography of Russia, as well as topical topics from the daily life of schoolchildren. It was launched by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation in 2022. Classes are held every Monday in all schools and colleges in the country.

The previous lesson was devoted to entrepreneurship. The students discussed the role of business in the development of the Russian economy and its impact on society.