III competition of research papers and projects of primary school students

On April 12, 2025, the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University held the final stage of the III Research and Project Competition for Primary School Students. This event, which has become a cherished tradition, brought together young researchers, their mentors, and educators dedicated to fostering scientific thinking from an early age.

Students from grades 1 to 4 of schools in Almaty and the Almaty region participated in the competition, with a total of 42 applications submitted. Following a preliminary selection, 17 projects advanced to the finals-12 in the younger age group (grades 1-2) and 5 in the older age group (grades 3-4). Participants presented projects on various pertinent topics, including ecology, mathematics, cultural heritage, technology, and everyday life studies.

The work of the competition committee was headed by Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Aziya Eleupanovna Zhumabayeva and Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor of KazNPU Asel Bakirovna Akpaeva. The jury included leading lecturers from the Department of Primary Education of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, as well as teacher-researchers from partner schools:

Professor of the Department of Primary Education, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Azatkul Akhmetovna Kdyrbayeva; Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor of KazNPU Larisa Anatolyevna Lebedeva; PhD in Philosophy, Senior Lecturer Zhupat Kanapyanovna Astambayeva; PhD in Philosophy, Senior Lecturer Zhanar Erkenovna Zhumash; Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor Rabiga Zholshiyevna Bazarbekova; Master of Pedagogy, Senior Lecturer Maryam Temirgaliyevna Bekbayeva;

Master of Pedagogy, Lecturer Dinara Bakhtiyarovna Sambet; Primary school teacher of the STEAM Lyceum School in Almaty Olga Viktorovna Bobrova; Primary school teacher of the STEAM Lyceum School Elena Vasilievna Khuzina; Teacher of Secondary School No. 46 in Almaty Ramira Mametovna Kebirova (first-year master`s student); Teacher-researcher, primary school teacher at "Bakalavriat" School Arailim Zhumagazinovna Ombaeva; First-year master`s student, primary school teacher at Giraffe Primary School Kristina Viktorovna Degtyareva; as well as primary school teacher at "Bakalavriat", teacher-researcher Kseniya Sergeyevna Kosilova.

Finalists presented their research projects demonstrating high levels of analytical thinking, creativity, independence, and self-confidence. The event was enriched by the presence of moderators - second-year students of the educational programme "Primary Education with Business Innovations," who provided technical and organisational support. Named diplomas were prepared for the winners, thank-you letters for supervisors, and certificates for the semi-finalists.

The winners received certificates, diplomas, and commemorative gifts. The competition served as an important platform for identifying and supporting gifted children, as well as showcasing effective collaboration between the university and general education schools.

The organising committee expresses sincere gratitude to all participants, educators, and parents for their active participation and contribution to fostering a research culture from the early school years. Such initiatives contribute to the formation of a new generation of conscious, responsible, and proactive citizens of our country.

Students from the dual education partner school "New Generation School (NGS)" and the private "Giraffe Primary School," where many alumni of the Department of Primary Education now teach, showed particularly high engagement. It is also important to note that 3rd- and 4th-year student-interns helped prepare pupils for the competition, proving their competency in applying project-based learning methods in practice.

The competition results are available via QR code.

Those responsible for organising the competition: lecturers from the Department of Primary Education of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University - Assel Bakirovna Akpaeva, Larisa Anatolyevna Lebedeva, and Zhupat Kanapiyanovna Astambayeva.