StartUs Festival: Where Students and Teachers Became Teammates

Fr om September 27 to 29, the «Solnechny» Educational Center hosted the Tomsk State Pedagogical University's annual «StartUs» Festival of Creativity, Tourism, and Sports. This traditional event brings together second-year students to test their ability for active teamwork. This season gathered 90 students, who were joined by a team of university staff and teachers, reviving a long-standing tradition.

The festival organizers — leaders and activists fr om the Center for Youth Policy and Educational Work —invited participants to transform into «heroes of our time»—professionals who make significant contributions to various fields. Each faculty embodied a different profession: students of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics became scientists, members of the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry – soil scientists, representatives of the Faculty of History and Philology — oil workers, students of the Faculty of Psychology and Special Education — delivery couriers. Other teams included eco-activists, hockey players, construction workers, pilots, and volunteers.

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The festival kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony, wh ere teams presented their creative introductions. Over three days, students participated in team-building games, a historical role-play, and a creative concert.

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A highlight of the event was the tourism day, which featured an orienteering challenge in the forest. It was here that the team of university staff, led by Vice-Rector for Youth Policy Mikhail Pronkin and Vice-Rector for Educational Activities Marina Sadieva, joined the students.

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«The participation of teachers in «StartUs» is a tradition fr om its very beginning, — said Mikhail Pronkin. — We decided to revive it so that staff could immerse themselves in the festival's atmosphere, and students could see their mentors in a new role. Such collaboration unites the university and motivates students to new achievements».

The final day was dedicated to sports, wh ere students competed in track-and-field tests, archery, and tug-of-war. A new addition this year was a tag-rugby match, judged by professional referees from the Tomsk Region Rugby Federation..

Following the intense competition, the Faculty of Primary and Preschool Education claimed the festival's main prize — the Cup of Friendship, along with the Creativity Cup.

Other awards were distributed as follows:

  • The Sports Cup was shared by the Faculty of Technology and Economics and the Institute of Physical Culture and Sports.

  • The Faculty of Physics and Mathematics won the Tourism Cup.

  • The Faculty of Technology and Economics also received the Organizing Committee's Cup.

  • The «Hamburg Score» Cup went to the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry.

  • The «One Step from Victory» Cup was awarded to the Faculty of Psychology and Special Education.

Beyond the awards, the true victory for every participant was the experience of confident teamwork, mutual support, and joyful collaboration.



10 July 2025

tg