The lecture “The Mathematics of Chasing on an Electric Scooter” by Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and renowned scientist and popularizer of science Alexey Savvateev was a highlight of the Science Festival held by Adyghe State University.

The event drew a record crowd, becoming the largest popular science lecture in the history of the Orlyonok All-Russian Children’s Center. The lecture was held in one of the center’s most modern and picturesque facilities, the Amphitheater Concert Hall, which was packed with over a thousand schoolchildren. The festival also featured a talk by Dmitry Vibe, head of the Department of Physics and Evolution of Stars at the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who delivered his popular science lecture to the enthusiastic young audience.
The Science Festival for Schoolchildren in Orlyonok is a notable component of the Science Around project, spearheaded by Adyghe State University, which receives support from a grant provided by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia within the framework of the federal project “Popularization of Science and Technology”. The science festival takes place in Orlyonok from June to October. During the fifth edition of the festival, more than 2,500 schoolchildren from 86 regions of Russia and five foreign countries – Moldova, Belarus, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia – participated.

” The greatest value of our festival is the opportunity to listen to lectures by outstanding scientists and popularizers of science”live “. At the fifth festival, lectures were given to the eaglets by Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor of MIPT and Adyghe State University Alexey Vladimirovich Savvateev and Head of the Department of Physics and Evolution of Stars of the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Zigfridovich Vibe. I am sure that after communicating with them, the children will look at science in a completely different way. I hope that the science festival in “Orlyonok” will inspire schoolchildren to study it, because science is a limitless space for new discoveries ,” said the rector of ASU, head of the project “Science Around”, – noted the rector of ASU, head of the project “Science Around” Prof. Daud Mamiy.

Alexey Savvateev, a renowned scholar with a impressive array of credentials, including a Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor at both the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and Adyghe State University, and Deputy Head of the Caucasian Mathematical Center, as well as Leading Researcher at the Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, has dedicated his research to mathematical models and game theory.

To make the complex world of game theory more accessible to a wider audience, Savvateev prepared a special lecture, “The Mathematics of an Electric Scooter Chase”, for the science festival at Orlyonok. In this engaging presentation, he posed intriguing questions that challenged the attendees to think creatively. For instance, how can one maximize the speed of a group by using a single electric scooter for two people? How can one cleverly organize a chase for a thief using an electric scooter?

Savvateev’s lecture not only introduced the basics of game theory but also demonstrated its widespread applicability in various fields, including international relations, economics, sociology, political science, psychology, ethics, jurisprudence, cybernetics, and many others. By exploring these fascinating concepts, children gained a deeper understanding of game theory as a branch of applied mathematics that studies optimal strategies in games.

Dr. Alexey Savvateev, a renowned scholar with a distinguished background in physical and mathematical sciences, holds the esteemed title of Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is also a professor at both the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and Adyghe State University. As the Deputy Head of the Caucasian Mathematical Center, he has played a crucial role in advancing the field of mathematics. Additionally, Dr. Savvateev serves as a Leading Researcher at the Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Savvateev recently prepared a captivating lecture, “The Mathematics of an Electric Scooter Chase,” specifically for the science festival at Orlyonok. In this presentation, he delved into the fascinating world of game theory, exploring how it can be applied to real-world scenarios. For instance, he posed intriguing questions such as: “How can you maximize the speed of a group by using one electric scooter for two people?” or “How can you organize a chase for a thief using an electric scooter?” These questions may seem playful, but they are rooted in game theory, a branch of applied mathematics that focuses on optimal strategies in games.

Game theory has far-reaching implications across various disciplines, including international relations, economics, sociology, political science, psychology, ethics, jurisprudence, cybernetics, and many others. By understanding game theory’s principles and applications, individuals can gain valuable insights into making strategic decisions and navigating complex situations.

The lecture by Professor Dmitry Vibe, a renowned expert in physical and mathematical sciences and head of the Department of Physics and Evolution of Stars at the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, focused on space threats. In his presentation, he highlighted two significant hazards in space that pose a threat to Earth: the fall of asteroids and space weather, which encompasses various phenomena linked to solar activity.

During the festival, 40 interactive thematic areas were open throughout the day at Orlyonok, offering schoolchildren hands-on experiences in mathematics and its applications, biology, physics, astrophysics, chemistry, and IT. At the Science Workshop stations, children engaged in experiments and fascinating demonstrations in physics and chemistry, learned about the structure of the Solar System, created a model of human DNA, and calculated patient zero. In the science film laboratory, they watched the documentary film “Ark”, which explored the flora and fauna of the Caucasian Reserve. The most enthusiastic participants took part in the team championship in intellectual games “Elements of Science”.

The Adyghe State University’s “Science Around” project, launched in 2024, has been recognized as a winner of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia’s grant competition. This project is being implemented within the framework of the federal initiative “Popularization of Science and Technology”. The university’s application was selected among 18 large-scale projects designed to engage a wide audience in the popularization of science.

The goal of the project is to promote the achievements of Russian scientists in the natural and mathematical sciences and information technology, fostering a deeper understanding of their contributions. The project’s activities aim to shape the scientific worldview and information culture of schoolchildren from an early age, particularly when it comes to choosing content in science and technology. Additionally, the project seeks to increase the attractiveness of the scientist and Russian science profiles in the minds of schoolchildren. To achieve these objectives, ASU organizes visiting science festivals at the Orlyonok All-Russian Children’s Center, as well as online lessons on natural science and mathematics for schoolchildren from various regions of the country. The project also features lectures by renowned Russian scientists and popularizers of science, which are published on the Science Around project page on VKontakte.