The Icebreaker of Knowledge 2022
A ten-day educational program on a nuclear icebreaker for the Homo Science Project by Rosatom corporation.
Educational agency Phosphor
The Icebreaker of Knowledge is the annual educational project, part of the Homo Science - science popularization initiative by the Rosatom State Corporation.
For six months talented teens from all over Russia competed for the chance to join the educational journey to the North Pole.
For six months talented teens from all over Russia competed for the chance to join the educational journey to the North Pole.
Out task was to design and implement the educational program on the nuclear icebreaker heading to the North Pole.
Basic conditions
- PR caseOne of the program’s goals was to become a powerful PR case for Rosatom. Therefore, the expedition needed to be outstanding and interesting for an outside audience.1
- Different agesChildren of different ages participated. We needed to mind this fact while designing the environment.2
- Icebreaker RestrictionsParticipants were not able to use mobile services or the Internet. Besides, icebreakers are high security facilities. Children can’t move around without guides and permissions, and the schedule for sleeping and eating is strictly regulated.3
- Cognitive workloadThe program took place at the height of the summer holidays. It was important to keep the balance between participants’ enjoyment and our educational goals.4
- The nuclear theme and the ArcticThe client wanted to show the role of nuclear energy in the development of the Arctic region and to motivate the participants to continue studying the topic outside the project.5
Our solution
A research program at the nexus of science and contemporary art: teenagers as science communicators
We created a methodology combining two approaches:
- phenomenon-based learning to research scientific topics such as energy or infrastructure through the study of the phenomenon of the Arctic. This approach problematized the teenagers and taught them to see scientific problems;
- art-based learning to reflect what is happening through contemporary art. This approach taught teenagers to participate in project activities and problematized them in personal development.
- transformational blocks — science, art and media people shared their experience and personal insights
- group reflection sessions — teenagers shared their current emotions at the end of the day
- horizontal communication space for experts and participants
Educational approach overview
Program results
68
Participants
>75%
Percentage of problematized participants
4,6/5
Average satisfaction with the program
10 and 6
10 scientific videos and 6 art objects were created by teenagers during the program