Young engineers of Kazakhstan: how R:ED Fest opens up new horizons for schoolchildren in the world of robotics

In the world of high technology and innovation, where engineering and programming form the backbone of modern education, students have unique opportunities to develop their skills and bring their ideas to life. One of such opportunity is offered by the largest international robotics and programming festival - R:ED Fest, which took place on 27-28 October, 2024 at Al-Farabi Schoolchildren’s Palace in Astana city. This event gathered young talents from Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and other countries, creating the perfect platform for sharing experiences and demonstrating advanced engineering solutions.

The festival became a part of the large-scale project “Bolashak Inzhenerler” (Future Engineers), aimed at developing engineering education among schoolchildren. Thanks to the support of Kazakhstan Khalkyna Public Foundation, Engineering Education Development Foundation and Arman Engineering Company, robotics classrooms have been established in 20 schools of our region, providing teachers with essential methodological support. This allows students to delve into the world of science, starting from their very first steps.

The republican round of the festival took place on October 27, 2024, where schoolchildren of East Kazakhstan region showed remarkable results. In the junior age category, Ilya Grislit won first place in the nomination “Programming in Scratch”, Mikhail Nalimov won second place, and Stepan Verbitsky won third place, all from Elementary School No. 1 of Altai district. In the senior age category in the “Relay Race” nomination, students of R. Marsekov Secondary School from Ulan district, Rasul Kusainov and Merey Toktamysov took second place. The team leaders — teachers Yaroslavna V. Andronova and Nartai B. Nurashov — made a great contribution to preparing their students.

This year, East Kazakhstan region was represented at the festival by 41 schoolchildren from Altai, Glubokoe, Tarbagatai, Ulan, Kurchum districts and Ridder town. The participants competed in various categories, such as “Line Following”, “Sumo”, “Relay Race”, creative projects and programming in Scratch, for all age groups.

The R:ED Fest is not just a competition, it is an opportunity for children and teenagers to shine and feel part of the global technological community. The best of the best, the winners of the republican round, on October 28, 2024 represented Kazakhstan at the international level, continuing their journey to the heights of engineering and programming excellence.