Based on these observations and existing projects, Sinet Spark decided to create a state-of-the-art laboratory, the Spark Lab, which will give students the opportunity to implement projects aimed at developing or improving the quality of life. In this way, the youngsters will change reality by themselves and, as a result, will be inspired to make new independent achievements.
Sergey Sivtsev, one of the team leaders, noted that Spark Lab is first and foremost a team. A team of students and colleagues who care about the problems of the city, who are ready to find and implement technologies to solve them. Maybe it was the high level of self-motivation and the vision of a clear goal that influenced the rapid pace of project development?
From April through July, students worked under the guidance of team leaders from Sinet Spark and experienced researchers to implement projects in eight areas: "Clean air," "City roads," "Comfortable house," "Transport technologies," "High-quality products," "EdTech," "Forest fires," and "Melting of permafrost" (for more information, please visit the website https://sinetspark.org/lab).
During this period, each laboratory reached certain heights. The foundation has been laid for an intelligent online system for permafrost degradation monitoring—CryoWan. Other projects are about a system for handling data on thunderstorm activity, growing strawberries, and an app developed to record unevennesses on the road. We saw the possibilities of adaptive architecture in the North and visualized the city's roads. We were also able to build our own sensor to monitor fine particles, get prototypes of an exhaust filter and an automated storage box for a portable garage.
Achieving certain project goals was the spark of motivation that guided the students along the way. But in addition, the youngsters got a theoretical knowledge of the environment professionals, could always ask for advice and help from the assigned expert.
As the team leaders point out, the Spark Lab was able to combine learning with gaining real skills.
"There is no unnecessary theoretical knowledge and no scoring system, that's why the learning process is enjoyable and addictive," Anton Chekurov, Spark Lab graduate.
An important part of the growth of laboratory participants were classes to develop soft skills, where they were able to pump their skills in communication, learned to work in a team and express their opinions, and became more open.
The students highlighted that the way they built their work taught them to think creatively, to plan their time as well as their own resources.
Forty-eight people graduated from Spark Lab this summer. And that's just the beginning! Many of the students want to continue their studies. And they will have that chance! For many projects, work continues, and in September, we will begin recruiting a new flow to the laboratories.
"I wish you never to give up, go for your dream no matter what, and I believe that everything will work out!",Sardaana Petrova, Spark Lab graduate
In the future, the team hopes that the experience gained at the Spark Lab will allow preparing for the creation of an international digital university, where completely new ways of educational activity will be applied.
"I'm very grateful to be on the same team as you. Each of its members is a universe capable of great change not only in the city but also in the country",Alena Rozhina, Spark Lab graduate
Looking forward to new achievements that will change the world!