The “Prosveshcheniye” Publishing House issued the textbook “Nuclear Physics”. Specialists of the “InterGraphics” company (a resident of the SEZ “Dubna”) coauthored it. Nowadays, the new textbook describing what the world consists of is already used in Russian schools.

The SEZ in Dubna is considered to be the place of innovations and information technologies because of its title of the Russian centre of programming on the left bank of the Volga river in Dubna. There are companies among the SEZ residents that develop innovative technologies in education. One of them is the “InterGraphics” company that, in addition to the development and introduction of modern computer-based learning tools, works out new educational and methodical series of books for Russian schools.

Specialists of the company jointly with scientists of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and MEPhI authored the textbook on nuclear physics for 10 – 11 grade students. The textbook may become the basis for elective courses, for example, if students of the physical and mathematical or engineering classes want to study nuclear physics.

A significant peculiarity of the new book is additional computer-based learning tools for a wider study of the subject, and thus it will contribute to a deeper understanding of nuclear physics. There are QR codes at its pages using which on a smartphone or a tablet a user can watch colourful 3D-models of complicated physical facilities or visualized physical processes described in the book. Moreover, a special application was developed with video lectures, additional tasks and exercises, virtual laboratory hands-on lessons that the textbook refers to.

Thus, a particular feature of the course is additional materials for the full immersion in the subject. At the end of each chapter, there is a link to self-assessment tests, video lectures on the topic of the chapter, and even virtual research workshop in the format of interactive laboratory hands-on lesson. The textbook aims to engage young readers and become a guide to the world of fundamental science. It involves students keen on science in origins of the Universe, tells them about fascinating historic discoveries in the field and explains what modern science considers as “bricks” of the matter we and the world consist of. The course in nuclear physics may be useful for students willing to obtain modern engineering degree, to work in the fields of nuclear power engineering or nanotechnologies.

“It is crucial that the textbook for senior school students not only explains the key laws of nuclear physics and their application in technologies, medicine, geology, ecology but also acquaint them with modern promising research,” Deputy Head of the Government of the Moscow Region Vadim Khromov comments on publication of the new textbook. “It should be mentioned that the textbook explains in an understandable for school children way major fields of activities of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. Historical archive materials of this international scientific centre were used reflecting the contribution of outstanding scientists from Dubna to establishment and development of nuclear physics. It is a well-timed book as far as a nuclear and physical direction of activities is now being established in the frames of the large-scale project “RosSEZ”, so the career guidance of school children may attract even more talented young people to Dubna in future.”

Recently, on the basis of the JINR University Centre, the textbook “Nuclear Physics” was successfully presented. Physics teachers from various cities of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus took part in the event. At the presentation, the authors of the textbook answered the questions of teachers and commented on all chapters. Participants of the meeting were especially surprised by the unusual way of presenting the material using the QR-code scanning where students may watch videos or study the interactive Periodic Table, get acquainted with 3D-models of the experiment on the synthesis of new superheavy elements or the construction of the NICA collider in Dubna, the unique scientific mega-project.

The “Prosveshcheniye” Publishing House published 2,000 copies of the textbook. The staff of the “InterGraphics” company now receive letters from physics teachers from all over Russia who thank them for the unique book and inform the company that they have planned special courses in their schools based on the textbook. Thus, we may say that the Special Economic Zone in Dubna not only works on information technologies and innovations but also conducts educational activities to form the scientific mindset among the younger generation.

Source: SEZ “Dubna”