“I consider SEED a part of Schlumberger strategy in Russia which helps our business and contributes to the positive image of our company. By supporting SEED connected schools, we are contributing to education and raising the spirit of science creativity among the young people involved in the program."

—Maurice Dijols, President Schlumberger Russia

 

	Russia’s 14 SEED schools are dispersed throughout the country as SEED Coordinator Svetlana Belova highlights with red dots on the map. Soon there will also be a SEEDLAB in Tyumen.
	SEED gives me new knowledge, such as learning about the Go-Go board, how to program it and what I can do to help solve global problems. I have also made new friends from around the world and have had the opportunity to practice languages. It is great!     —SEED Student SEED helps me and my students by giving us valuable methods of teaching and new project ideas for our classroom.    —SEED Teacher SEED connects kids around the world, and we do our best to make these connections easy and fun.    —SEED Volunteer

SEED in Russia:
From Connectivity to Creativity

My name is Svetlana Belova, and I am the SEED Coordinator for Schlumberger Russia. When SEED entered this country in 2001, we addressed a need in schools for computers and the Internet to help reduce the technology gap. Today, we have 14 SEED schools educating more than 10,000 children in the framework of the SEED School Network Program (SNP), thanks to the enthusiasm and support of Schlumberger volunteers and management.

By good fortune (or perhaps SEED foresight?), Russia has made a national priority of sustainable development for education. As a result, every Russian school now has computers and connection to the Internet. However, without the “human touch” and creativity, these tools cannot meet their full potential. This is why we are taking the SEED program from Connectivity to Creativity, and this is where SEED has proven its greatest value. Traditionally in Russia, science is a very popular subject and students demonstrate a high level of creativity in it. By addressing the desire of young people to express their creative talent, SEED has harmonized with their needs and provided an opportunity for them to express themselves while addressing global issues, such as water and climate change.

Overall, the SEED program supports key projects advanced by the Russian Government and Ministry of Education – it is an ideal synergy.  Our SNP schools engage in all aspects of SEED, including collaborative projects and Action Fund grants. SEED in Russia sponsors youth science exhibitions and our students participate in SEED international events. Also, we are building a new SEEDLAB in Tyumen, which will be the center of SEED activities for volunteers, students and teachers. Our efforts and teamwork are creating the best conditions for the development of SEED in Russia. Of course, none of this would be possible without our growing volunteer community.

	Students attending a recent SEED Collaborative Workshop were eager to learn about science, practice their language skills, and meet new friends from around the country.

On behalf of SEED Russia, I would like to thank our volunteers and supporters and congratulate us all on a successful 2007!

—Svetlana Belova
    SEED Coordinator, Russia

For more about SEED in Russia, see the following stories:
SEED Takes Root in Russia’s Far North

SEED and Novosibirsk Technology Center: Spreading the Technology Message (Schlumberger Hub article)

Glimpsing the Future at the Sixth All-Russia Youth Exhibition of Scientific and Technical Creativity