Empowering Ukraine’s Youth: Future Mathematics and Coding Experts

By Sofiia Tiapkina

Nestled between Zakarpattia’s many slopes and foothills, the Spring Multidisciplinary School offers a chance for Ukrainian students to delve into complex mathematical and coding problems with the guidance of the country’s leading professionals. The School is a 12-day academic retreat for students in grades 5 through 10 that goes beyond what you would expect from a traditional educational camp. An outsider might think the School is just a club with common academic interests. But here, the students learn how to work productively, lift each other up, and pursue their curiosity anywhere they go. Compassion, thoughtfulness, and patriotism are as important as their academic counterparts.

This retreat is a collective effort of the BoikoSuperMath School, the SmartSchool network of online math circles, and Uzhhorod National University, with support from Nova Ukraine. The experience is a perfect blend of academic rigor and leisure activities. All participants are passionate about mathematics and computer programming, but at the School, they also delve into Ukraine’s rich history and study the culture around them. Notably, the supervisors emphasize physical health, psychological rehabilitation for war trauma, and the overall well-being of the teenagers from all over Ukraine, accommodating them in comfortable lodgings surrounded by Mukachevo’s nature.

The School’s faculty roster includes Ukraine’s best educators in mathematics and programming, featuring distinguished teachers and international Olympiad winners. These educators bring not just their knowledge, but a passion for teaching and a proven track record of inspiring students to achieve greatness. Among them are Serhii Lifyts (Order of Merit I, II, and III), Anastasiia Lusakevych (Order of Princess Olha II and III), Dr. Oleksandr Mitsa, Mariia Samofalova, and many others. Their students brought countless medals from international, All-European, and All-Ukrainian competitions in mathematics and coding. 

But it’s not just about the accolades. The School and its associated programs, BoikoSuperMath and SmartSchool, focus on developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep appreciation for learning. They prepare students not just for competitions, but for real-life challenges, nurturing a sense of curiosity and the joy of discovery. When the educators take their students somewhere for a competition, they always plan excursions to museums and sightseeing. Children return home not only with diplomas and medals, but also with many new impressions and knowledge.

We support the Spring Multidisciplinary School as a part of our mission to build up Ukraine’s flourishing civil society and future generation of professionals. Nova Ukraine’s financial backing has significantly reduced the participation fee, making this invaluable experience accessible to more children. By investing in education, particularly in the critical fields of mathematics and coding, we are helping to pave the way for future thinkers, innovators, and leaders who will contribute to the country’s progress and reconstruction.

In times of war, initiatives like the Spring Multidisciplinary School pave the way forward. The School serves as a call for all of us who believe in the power of education. Supporting initiatives like this is not just an investment in the children of Ukraine but in the nation’s very future. 

We urge you to support Nova Ukraine’s mission, teachers’ dedication, and students’ unwavering spirit. Help us build a strong foundation for Ukraine’s next generation at https://novaukraine.org/donate/.

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