Day 8

The participants of the International Junior Science Olympiad went on a tour of the "Sirius" University of Science and Technology — the largest institution in Russia in the field of life sciences. There, they visited the digital center of the Russian state atomic energy corporation "Rosatom." This unique platform brings together talented schoolchildren, students, and IT experts. In modern classrooms, they immersed themselves in the technology and culture of the nuclear industry, as well as in tackling real-world challenges in this field.

The students also visited the Sirius University Library — a large open-access book repository. The national IJSO-2025 teams brought books as gifts. This gesture symbolizes how science unites people worldwide and that knowledge is the best gift.

In the afternoon, the IJSO-2025 participants planted an avenue of Viburnum tinus. Unlike the common guelder rose, this shrub is ornamental and remains green all year round. In Russia, Viburnum tinus can be found on the Black Sea coast, including in Sirius. Thanks to the subtropical climate, the avenue planted on the federal territory will delight guests and residents throughout the year.

"I enjoyed walking through the bright and spacious corridors of the University. There are exhibits on space themes everywhere — it’s clear that this direction is truly important to the University. And I’m also delighted with the library: it’s so large, impressive, and cozy. The wonderful tradition of planting trees was also memorable. It’s a real sign of Russian hospitality, showing how welcome guests are here. I’m happy to have left a part of myself in Russia," shares Bao Trang Do from Vietnam.

"Sirius University made a strong impression on me — such a warm and inspiring place! You can see how people grow and find new opportunities here. It was especially great to see how enthusiastically the schoolchildren are engaged. And planting trees became a symbol of a friendly attitude toward nature for me. It’s like a promise — to protect the environment," notes Layan Fahad M Aboalnaja, a participant from Saudi Arabia.

The evening was enlivened by national games. The schoolchildren enthusiastically taught each other games from their countries: from the Colombian "Pistolero" to Pakistani "Cricket."

"I was thrilled! I was particularly impressed by the games from Costa Rica and Taiwan. Our delegation also brought our national game — 'Benteng.' It’s strategy-based. It was incredibly interesting to see how different our cultures are. And perhaps it’s precisely these differences that make each of us unique in our own way," shares Howard Valero Hansen from Indonesia.