Career guidance for schoolchildren within the framework of the project "Small University of Natural Sciences" using the resources of the Omsk State Pedagogical University Technopark

the article presents the experience of organizing and conducting the educational project "Small University of Natural Sciences" on the basis of the Omsk State Pedagogical University, the Faculty of Natural Science Education. Career guidance plays an important role in shaping the motivation and successful socialization of the younger generation. This is especially relevant in the field of natural science education, where there is a severe shortage of teaching staff. One way to maintain interest in natural sciences among high school students is to involve them in active scientific environments and career guidance activities conducted at higher education institutions. The main goal of the project was to develop interest in four subjects: biology, chemistry, geography, and life safety, as well as to help students make an informed choice about becoming a teacher. The project was conducted from November 2024 to May 2025 and involved students from 38 educational institutions in Omsk and the Omsk Region. The results obtained show that participation in such a unique educational space, with the use of equipment of the Technopark and the Quantorium of OmSPU, can influence the professional self-determination of schoolchildren, strengthen their interest in science and create prerequisites for subsequent admission to pedagogical universities. The material of the article can be useful for other educational organizations planning to implement similar career guidance projects.

professional orientation, natural science education, small university, technopark, and quantorium