CAIER supports first young scientists forum

Over 100 high school students from across Kazakhstan gathered on February 25 and 26 for the first republican ecological forum “Shoqan Ecology”. The scientific forum was organized by the Shoqan Walikhanov Private School and supported by the Central Asian Institute for Environmental Research (CAIER).

Ms. Aselle Tasmagambetova, an ecologist and founder of the Shoqan Walikhanov Private School, highlighted the importance of environmental education, especially in light of the serious threats posed by environmental problems. “Environmental problems have become one of the most serious threats not only for Kazakhstan, but for the whole world. The extinction of unique animal species, air and water pollution and climate change are the main dangers to human life. Last year, Earth Overshoot Day (also known as Ecological Debt Day; the date after which humanity lives “in debt” to future generations) fell on July 29; that is, in seven months, the humanity spends the natural “budget of the year” and the remaining five months we live in debt. Therefore, it is vital that we form a responsible and caring attitude toward the environment and engage in environmental education as early as at the school stage. The Shoqan Ecology Forum is a unique opportunity for schoolchildren to showcase their environmental awareness, present their research papers, and receive feedback from leading scientists,” she said.

The Shoqan Ecology Forum aimed to promote research activity among school students, develop their research skills, stimulate their intellectual and creative potential, increase their interest in education and science, and discover young talents.

The judges of the competition included some leading Kazakhstani scientists in the field of ecology, biology, petrochemistry, mining and chemical industry, metallurgy, and waste processing. They had to choose from 68 research projects carried out by students from Astana, Almaty, Aktau, Zhetysu region, Kokshetau, Karaganda, Kyzylorda, Taraz, Shymkent, Petropavlovsk, and Turkestan.

The projects were of theoretical, experimental, and applied nature in natural sciences (chemistry, biology, physics, and ecology), all aimed at solving environmental problems. The young scientists competed in three sections: "Pollution/Quality of air, soil and water", "Public health", and "Waste management".

22 best projects received cash prizes, with the overall prize fund amounting to 3 million tenge.

All forum participants also enjoyed an excursion to CAIER, where Ms. Aselle Tasmagambetova invited young scientists to become volunteers at the Center for the Study and Rehabilitation of the Caspian Seal and to take part in the research work of the Institute.

It is hoped that the Forum will help to instill a responsible and caring attitude toward the environment among young people, and encourage them to become more engaged in environmental education and research.

Winners of the “Shoqan Ecology” forum