How can we help teens turn their curiosity about the world into real scientific research? And how can we teach them to carry out full-scale science projects — even without access to a lab or a mentor at their local school?
One of the winners of the #DaVinciUkraine grant program from the KSE Foundation and the STEM Talent Fund — UkrTeenScience, a youth civic organization — is ready to answer these questions.
Their project, the Science Mentoring online program, will help high school students from all over Ukraine explore science hands-on and prepare for STEM olympiads, including those at the international level.
Thanks to the Da Vinci Ukraine grant, in 2025–2026 the project will:
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Launch a mentorship cycle that connects high school students with experienced researchers in chemistry and biology;
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Create and distribute a free online course on the principles of the scientific method — available to all Ukrainian students;
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Organize academic English classes, STEM intensives, and a pitching camp to help students present their research;
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Provide participants with lab materials and one-on-one mentorship to carry out their own scientific projects.
Who will the program reach?
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50 students will receive personalized mentorship and individual support;
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At least 450 additional students will complete the course independently via an open-access platform;
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According to the team’s estimates, 80% of participants will go on to compete in regional olympiads, 40% of them will reach the national level, and 10% — the international stage!
Science is not a privilege — it’s an opportunity for everyone. Thanks to UkrTeenScience, hundreds of teenagers will be inspired to pursue science, with the support of real working scientists.
And just as importantly, they’ll become part of a community that will accompany them — not only during the program, but also along their future path to university and professional science.
Congratulations to the UkrTeenScience team on their win!