Nauryz and Ecology: An Open Educational Lesson on a Sustainable Future

On March 17, 2026, within the framework of pedagogical practice, Ph.D. students of the Department of Chemical Physics and Material Science of the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at Al-Farabi KazNU – Seitkazinov A.R., Abdikhan D.B., and Maten A.E. – conducted an open educational lesson for first-year Master's students. The topic of the session was "Nauryz - A Holiday of Nature's Renewal: Ecological Sustainability." The main goal of the event was to reveal the profound importance of ecology, which is an integral part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through the prism of the national holiday Nauryz.

During the lesson, the organizers presented insightful presentations that covered the history of Nauryz as a celebration of nature's awakening, its sacral meaning, and its fundamental role in the Kazakh worldview.

The theoretical part transitioned smoothly into an interactive format: students were invited to participate in a game where they identified Kazakh traditions from pictures and illustrations, recalled folk proverbs and sayings, and interpreted the hidden meanings of images related to spring awakening and human harmony with the environment. The most active participants were awarded prizes, creating an atmosphere of lively interest and healthy excitement in the classroom.

The educational block culminated in a dynamic Kahoot quiz, where students competed in real-time on the speed and accuracy of answers to questions linking Nauryz traditions with urgent modern environmental issues. The winners of the intellectual contest received small commemorative gifts that highlighted the theme of the meeting.

To enhance the festive mood and create a warm atmosphere, the doctoral students prepared a traditional dastarhan, offering guests hearty Nauryz-kozhe, hot baursaks, kurt, and other national delicacies. This allowed students not only to consolidate the knowledge gained but also to look at Nauryz from a new perspective as a holiday of conscious consumption and responsibility for the future of the environment.

The event was held at a high professional level, enabling students to gain a deeper understanding of their ancestral heritage and view the familiar holiday through a new ecological lens as a symbol of responsibility for the planet's future.

Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Chemical Physics and Materials Science R.G. Abdulkarimova, Doctoral Student D.B. Abdikhan