On July 25, 2025, the Sirius Center celebrated the conclusion of the 10th anniversary of the “Big Challenges” program for students in grades 7–11 and first-year college students. In total, more than 16,000 applications were submitted this year, and 400 finalists from 65 regions of Russia, as well as Belarus, Kazakhstan, Abkhazia, and Tajikistan, were invited to take part in the final stage onsite.
Over the course of three weeks, participants worked on real-world challenges provided by program partners. Projects were grouped into 12 scientific tracks: Agro-Industrial and Biotechnologies, Unmanned and Logistics Systems, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Automated Systems and Security, Genetics and Biomedicine, Cognitive and Interdisciplinary Research, Space Technologies, New Materials and Nanotechnologies, Exploration of the Arctic and World Ocean, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Modern Energy, Nature-Inspired and Neurotechnologies, and Ecology and Climate Change Studies. These fields represent priorities of modern science and align with the national strategy for scientific and technological development.
At the final exhibition, the team from ITMO University and the Infochemistry Scientific Center presented an interactive AR-based educational experience. Visitors could try a training course on operating complex physical equipment using augmented reality glasses. The course was developed on the domestic AR platform IKSAR. While full feedback is still being gathered, early reactions suggest high engagement, and it is already clear that AR technologies are poised to become a strong component of mainstream education in the near future.
Augmented reality enables significant improvements in education: it increases student engagement, enhances comprehension, allows for personalized learning paths, and helps reduce errors—especially when working with complex instruments. It also protects users from accidents, prevents damage to expensive equipment, lowers maintenance costs, and improves operational efficiency.
We thank our partners at ITMO University and the Infochemistry Scientific Center for promoting AR technologies in education!
Over the course of three weeks, participants worked on real-world challenges provided by program partners. Projects were grouped into 12 scientific tracks: Agro-Industrial and Biotechnologies, Unmanned and Logistics Systems, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Automated Systems and Security, Genetics and Biomedicine, Cognitive and Interdisciplinary Research, Space Technologies, New Materials and Nanotechnologies, Exploration of the Arctic and World Ocean, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Modern Energy, Nature-Inspired and Neurotechnologies, and Ecology and Climate Change Studies. These fields represent priorities of modern science and align with the national strategy for scientific and technological development.
At the final exhibition, the team from ITMO University and the Infochemistry Scientific Center presented an interactive AR-based educational experience. Visitors could try a training course on operating complex physical equipment using augmented reality glasses. The course was developed on the domestic AR platform IKSAR. While full feedback is still being gathered, early reactions suggest high engagement, and it is already clear that AR technologies are poised to become a strong component of mainstream education in the near future.
Augmented reality enables significant improvements in education: it increases student engagement, enhances comprehension, allows for personalized learning paths, and helps reduce errors—especially when working with complex instruments. It also protects users from accidents, prevents damage to expensive equipment, lowers maintenance costs, and improves operational efficiency.
We thank our partners at ITMO University and the Infochemistry Scientific Center for promoting AR technologies in education!