KBSU: the basics of algorithms for thousands of schoolchildren

Basic knowledge and competencies in the field of algorithmics were received by more than 2,300 schoolchildren who completed the course offered by the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov.

An additional general educational general developmental program «Introduction to Algorithms», developed by university specialists, was mastered by students in grades 7-10. Schoolchildren learned that the term «algorithm» means a strictly defined sequence of actions.

The children learned that the word «algorithm» has a very interesting origin. The fact is that in 825 AD an important scientific work on mathematics was published by the Persian mathematician, astronomer, geographer, historian, philosopher, translator, astrologer Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi. In a free translation, his name can be represented as follows: Abu Abdullah Muhammad is the son of Musa from Khorezm. And Khorezm is an oasis in Central Asia, located in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River (currently partly the territory of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan). Through the ancient state of  Khorezm, which is mentioned in sources from the 7th century BC, the Great Silk Road passed, trade, irrigation agriculture, crafts, art, science were developed there.

In the “Brief book on the calculus of al-jabr and al-muqabala”, Khorezmi spoke about the outstanding achievements of Indian mathematicians known to him — arithmetic in the decimal number system and solving a quadratic equation. In the XII century, a translation into Latin was made, where the author’s name is recorded as Algorizmi. So, thanks to an outstanding scientist, the term «algorithm» appeared in mathematics.

Algorithmics is the design and analysis of algorithms, — authoritatively explained Darina Kazharova, a seventh grader from the village Khatuei, Leskensky district. – I studied algorithms, but I didn’t really understand when I was studying under the program of university teachers, I learned a lot of new things. I liked it very much, I would like to redo it. My mother Marina Valerievna always supports me in my studies.

Deputy director for educational work of the school Khatuei Madina Guchakova confirmed the words of her student that the assignments were interesting, and many children wanted to test themselves in search of the right answers:

It was supposed that «Introduction to Algorithmics» was intended for students in grades 7-10, but guys from grades 5 to 11 wanted to take part in our program! Everyone enthusiastically answered questions, looked for the right sequences …
Who successfully completed the training, sent me the results. It is important that most children are motivated to acquire new knowledge and are ready to do extra work. They are fully aware not only of the need to successfully pass the exam in mathematics, but also the importance of programming in the modern world, the importance of getting a good education for future professional activities.

We are very grateful to the staff of KBSU for developing the potential of rural schoolchildren, maintaining interest in self-education. Our guys are very talented, diligent, we are proud of them.

As Tanzilya Makhieva, head of the Department for Supporting Projects of the Scientific and Technological Initiative and Continuous Education of the KBSU, explained, there is a great demand in Russia for specialists in the information technology industry, especially for system administrators and software developers. According to forecasts, by 2024 the need for such professionals will grow to 300,000 per year. The largest university in our region, within which the Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies operates, has been intensively training personnel for this field of activity for several years. Cooperation with schools contributes to the expansion of career guidance, identifying talents, attracting applicants to KBSU who have the necessary knowledge in the field of mathematics, computer science, and physics.

Classes within the framework of the program of additional education «Introduction to Algorithms» were held using remote technologies. This training course lays the foundations for the correct thinking of the future programmer, is the basis for studying the most popular general-purpose programming language Python, other programming languages and systems.