Engineering Classes: TUSUR Trains Detectives in 50 Schools Across Tomsk Region
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Tomsk University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR) partners with schools to inspire engineering dreams
TUSUR continues collaborating with educational institutions, including schools and after-school programs for kids. The 'Engineering Classes TUSUR' project now covers all municipalities in Tomsk region. Notable initiatives under this project include a cyberclass based on the Siberian Lyceum in Tomsk and a radio technology club running at Karagasok Children's Creative Center.
According to TUSUR press service, the primary goal of the project is to popularize engineering studies among students in grades 7-11 and support them in preparing for university applications in engineering fields. University scholars and faculty serve as mentors, guiding students in project-based activities and career orientation.
Today, the engineering classes are open in about 50 schools across 20 municipalities in Tomsk region.
School of the Cyber Journey
Siberian Lyceum established an agreement with the Faculty of Security last spring. The class targets collaboration with TUSUR, with a focus on cybersecurity. Classes for 10th-graders have been underway since October 2024, with students attending sessions on Saturdays. Teacher of physics at Siberian Lyceum, Nadezhda Filatova, shared, "There's one class of 29 students – it started last fall. They've learned about various security risks online, the possibilities of hacking, methods of detecting intrusions and keeping secure. The focus for this first year was on familiarizing them with the field of information security, and in the second year, they'll work on practical assignments."
She added, "Eighth and ninth-graders also began connecting with TUSUR this year, participating in extracurricular activities in physics and math. In the 10th and 11th grades, they attend orientation events organized by the Faculty of Security, interact with the faculty, and get a sense of life on campus. It's uncertain whether all 29 students will attend TUSUR, but at least some of them surely will, given the competitive admission process, and they are well aware that there's something to strive for."
In the initial lessons, students learned about common security loopholes in systems, ways to connect to other computers through a network, and methods for detecting and preventing hacks.
Road Monitoring Initiative
School No. 2 in village Kozhevnikovo connected with the project in September 2023. "Last year, our students worked with 10th and 11th graders, with after-school activities in physics and math classes. This year, we've expanded to include 8th and 9th graders. Our 10th and 11th graders participate in engineering modeling and project-based activities, while 9th graders explore additional physics. They also join TUSUR career events and take online courses in engineering," shared RIA Tomsk deputy director for academic affairs Yelena Lyzhina.
She noted that 10th and 11th-graders, enrolled in the engineering class, have already chosen the physical-mathematical profile, while the 8th and 9th graders participate in supplementary extracurricular activities.
"Our teachers involved in the project have received additional training at TUSUR. The university provided us with methodological manuals and resources for educators. We regularly visit TUSUR for orientation events, and they visit us too. There's also group project-based learning – where students collaborate with TUSUR master's students, developing projects online. This applies to 10th and 11th graders," Lyzhina added.
About 40 students are currently enrolled in the TUSUR engineering class in Kozhevnikovo, many of whom are already planning to apply to the university in the future.
Leaping Towards Projects
For years, the Karagasok Children's Creative Center has been hosting a radio technology club supported by TUSUR. According to TUSUR press service, the radio technology club at Karagasok Children's Creative Center was established in 1947. Students in the club have achieved victories and garnered awards in regional and national competitions. Over the last 40 years, more than 300 students have been trained in radio technology, with about 30% of them going on to study related fields in universities.
"We've been collaborating with TUSUR for 12 years. Currently, we have 16 students in the engineering class (radio technology club). The students work in mixed-age groups. Group 1 focuses on basic studies in electronics and radio technology, components and reading schematics, and using simple measuring tools. Older students learn about creating simple electronic devices," shared the press service with RIA Tomsk, quoting club instructor Andrey Zakharkov.
Additionally, students explore building and assembling basic electronic devices. In the later years of their education, they master logical elements, delve deeper into digital microchips (like triggers, counters, decoders), which can be used to create various complex and specialized measuring tools, electronic devices, and automated systems. Advanced students work on project-based activities.
"We have visiting faculty from six departments – Radio Engineering (RFT), Radio Construction (RKF), Security (FBS), Electronic Technology (FET), Innovative Technology (FIT), and the Humanities faculty – twice a year," shared the club teacher. "They hold workshops for the students, give lectures on TUSUR. We visit the university too, touring laboratories."
- The 'Engineering Classes TUSUR' project, expanding to different municipalities, aims to strengthen students' education-and-self-development and personal-growth in engineering fields, with an anticipated participation in section 2024.
- Notable among the partnering schools is the Siberian Lyceum, cultivating cybersecurity knowledge through a strong collaboration with TUSUR's Faculty of Security.
- In the next two years, students at the Siberian Lyceum are expected to engage in practical learning, furthering their understanding of information security through project-based activities and guidance from TUSUR scholars.
- In TUSUR's partnership with Karagasok Children's Creative Center, the radio technology club fosters personal growth by offering supplemental learning opportunities in radio technology, eventually steering some students towards university studies in related fields.
