The first Teachers of the Future School-seminar, launched for physics and mathematics undergraduates, future school teachers, was successfully held in Dubna from the 8th to the 23rd of February, 2025.
The participants were welcomed at the JINR House of Scientists by JINR Vice-Director L. Kostov, as well as the School’s organisers. A video greeting was also sent to participants from the JINR Information Centre in the Far East.
23 students from Russian universities, selected with the involvement of JINR Information Centres, took part in the School: Lomonosov Arctic University, Far Eastern Federal University, North Ossetian State University, Vitus Bering Kamchatka State University, and two Tomsk universities: the Polytechnic and the Pedagogical.
The main aim of the School is to supplement the subject content of the science and mathematics faculties’ educational programmes with up-to-date knowledge in the field of modern physics, and to teach future teachers the fundamentals of research and engineering design activities using advanced methodologies.
The School’s packed two-week programme included visits to JINR and lectures by leading JINR scientists, lectures and roundtables on the problems of education in the field of physics and mathematics, and masterclasses on preparing for the “JINR Days” festival. An important part of the programme was the presentation of the educational and methodological complex “Physics 7-9. Engineers of the Future”, edited by Professor Yu. Panebrattsev (JINR).
The main part of the academic sessions was devoted to physics hands-on activities and projects in physics and mathematics. “The physics practicum and experiments led by I. Lomachenkov, along with the project work led by P. Shirkov, completely changed my view of activities both in the field of physics and in pedagogical work,” noted School-seminar participant Veronika Samsonova (NArFU - Northern (Arctic) Federal University).
One of the outcomes of the School was the participants’ intention to stay in touch with JINR and with each other for ongoing professional development and sharing experience. Almost all participants already have teaching experience in schools, and more than half confidently expressed their choice of a teaching career. The subject of discussion at the final meeting at the University Centre was how to help schoolchildren choose a science career through their local universities. O. Kreider, the acting Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Dubna University, discussed career options with the School-seminar participants. They explored how to create individual career paths leading to JINR. The focus was on science, mathematics, and specialized departments at the University.
P. Shirkov, the lead methodologist at the JINR University Centre, stated that the programme of the first Teachers of the Future School-seminar demonstrated its significance and relevance as a tool for attracting undergraduates into teaching and school students into science. He also called it an important step in the development of the JINR educational environment and in the preparation of a new generation of teachers and researchers. The organizers and participants plan to continue working together, and the JINR University Centre is already planning the next Teachers of the Future programme.
