ASU News

Young scientists, students, and postgraduates attempted to convey interesting scientific facts and research to a wide audience in an accessible and entertaining form.

As experts note, the popularization of science represents a promising area, which is given great importance in Russia. Popular science has proven to be especially in demand, owing to the social demand for sensationalism and the emergence of mass media. The increasing involvement of carriers of "profane knowledge" (knowledge of a non-specialist, the position of an amateur, or "a man on the street") actualizes the tasks of popularizing science. Therefore, the educational component of scientific activity is becoming no less important than the research one. People are interested in the achievements of science, and modern investments in science require unconditional approval by society.

The first event was timed to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of Nikolai Andreev, a prominent figure in mathematics popularization in Russia. He serves as the Head of the Laboratory of Popularization and Promoting of Mathematics at the Steklov Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Caucasian Mathematical Center of Adyghe State University. Andreev is also the creator of the well-known "Mathematical Etudes" project and numerous visual models designed to enhance schoolchildren's understanding of mathematical concepts and principles. His significant achievements in the field of science popularization have earned him prestigious accolades, including the Lilavati Prize, a prestigious award given by the global scientific community every four years.
 
Students and postgraduate students eager to popularize science, and who have learned from Nikolai Andreev, participated in the first "Maikop Etudes" readings as speakers. Inspired by projects developed with Andreev's involvement – such as mathematics festivals, popular science lectures, and interactive activities – many children have developed a keen interest in science. The speakers included representatives from educational institutions in Maikop and Moscow.

The presentations showcased the broad applicability of mathematics. The audience learned about designing residential spaces in non-Euclidean geometries, image processing and machine learning techniques, the movement of mechanical systems in wind flow, and even mathematical explanations for the routes of ants.

ASU Rector Daud Mamiy announced that the popular science readings "Maikop Etudes" will become an annual event.