TRADITIONS OF SCIENTIFIC CONTESTS FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN IN RUSSIA

Abstract

The article deals with the traditions of Scientific Contests for schoolchildren in Russia which formed within the long history of intellectual competitions. The author shows the features of such contests in the Soviet Union and Modern Russia, as well as the directions of state policy in this sphere. Special attention is given to the legislative basis of this movement. The main conclusion of the article is as follows: unlike Soviet times, when the traditions of Scientific Contests for children were accumulated and carefully guarded by their organizers and participants, in modern Russia this kind of work with talented children failed to continue due to numerous objective and subjective circumstances, mainly, due to a large-scale political crisis after the collapse of the USSR. Despite the organizers’ efforts Scientific Contests were rapidly losing the role of a social lift for gifted children and adolescents who had abilities to develop science and create advanced technologies and innovations.