The academic year at the online school "Academy of Young Researchers," which was conducted for students from February to May 2025 by the Donetsk Regional Ecological and Naturalist Center, concluded with a bright and warm final class.
Throughout all the classes, the children gained new knowledge and skills in research activities, demonstrated enthusiasm, curiosity, and love for nature. The final meeting was a summary of the joint diligent work and at the same time – the start of summer research.
The event began with a welcoming speech by the director of the DOENС, Oleksandr Parashchenko, who sincerely thanked the children, parents, and teachers for their cooperation, enthusiasm, and interesting discoveries throughout the year. He emphasized the importance of forming ecological thinking from an early age and wished each participant not to stop at their achievements.
The highlight of the event was an educational presentation and a virtual tour of the "Secret Strawberry Year-Round" plot, conducted by the head of the DOENС club, Lyudmyla Kapitanova. She showed her garden and told the children about various ways of growing and storing strawberries, its beneficial properties, and also shared interesting botanical facts.
For the summer, the young researchers received a task – to collect medicinal herbs and create their own original tea recipe. This activity will allow them to better familiarize themselves with the plant world, develop observation skills, creativity, and ecological awareness.
There was also creativity involved – participants joined a singing flash mob, performing Ukrainian works about plants. This emotional moment united everyone, brought good spirits, and reminded once again of the beauty and richness of the native nature.
In conclusion, each participant received a certificate of successful completion of the academic year at the Academy of Young Researchers, as recognition of their diligence, curiosity, and perseverance. The Academy of Young Researchers says goodbye to the students for the summer holidays, but only formally – as true researchers never stop exploring the world! We wish everyone a bright summer, inspiration for new discoveries, and delicious herbal teas from their own recipes!