A project titled “A Lesson with a Scientist: University Science for School Students” has been launched in Almaty with the aim of strengthening scientific and methodological cooperation between higher education institutions and schools. The educational initiative was jointly organized by scientists from Abai University and Al-Farabi School-Gymnasium No. 145. Teachers of Kazakh language and literature from 30 schools in the Bostandyk District of Almaty took part in the lessons.

As part of the event, five scientists from Abai University conducted thematic lessons in Kazakh language and literature for school students. The lessons went beyond the traditional format and focused on developing students’ research and critical thinking skills. Students explored answers to academic questions, analyzed linguistic and literary materials, learned to express their ideas with sound arguments, and draw conclusions.

In particular, Gulzat Raeva, Candidate of Philological Sciences and Associate Professor, conducted a lesson for fifth-grade students on the topic “Phonetics: Speech Sounds and the Principles of Vowel Harmony”. Nagima Ilyassova, Doctor of Philological Sciences and Professor, introduced eighth-grade students to the topic “Morphology and Syntax: The Relationship between Word Forms and Sentence Structure”.

Educational topics related to the works of the great Abai were also of particular interest to the students. Örken Imangali, PhD and Senior Lecturer, discussed the topic “Era, Character and Artistic Perception” with tenth-grade students, focusing on Mukhtar Auezov’s epic novel “The Path of Abai". Dariga Satemirova, Candidate of Philological Sciences and Associate Professor, conducted a lesson for eighth-grade students on “The Poetry of the Zhyrau: National Spirit, Historical Memory and the Artistic Word”. Edilbai Ospan, Candidate of Philological Sciences and Associate Professor, explained the structure and key requirements of essay writing to eleventh-grade students and organized a practical lesson entitled “Let’s Learn to Write an Essay: Thesis, Evidence and Conclusion”.

Students showed particular enthusiasm for the project’s “Ask the Scientist” format. They asked scientists questions that concerned and interested them and received clear, scientifically grounded answers. This format is expected to increase students’ interest in science and encourage them to engage in research activities.

Another important component of the event was the exchange of methodological experience between university scientists and school teachers. During the meeting, the scientists delivered presentations on modern approaches to the educational process, ways to improve students’ functional literacy, and effective methods of teaching language and literature.

For school teachers, the project provided an opportunity to become familiar with modern teaching methodologies and exchange professional experience. University scientists, in turn, had the opportunity to work directly with students, gain a practical understanding of the needs and interests of the younger generation, and obtain valuable insights for further improving the content of education in Kazakhstan from a scientific and theoretical perspective. Such joint initiatives strengthen the interaction between science and education, contribute to the development of quality education, and help lay the foundation for training qualified professionals in the future.

The main objectives of the project are to encourage school students to engage in scientific inquiry, strengthen cooperation between higher and secondary education institutions, and create opportunities for professional exchange among educators. In the future, the project is expected to involve additional schools and become a permanent scientific and methodological platform for students and teachers.

«Abai University» Media Center