STEM Expo 2025. Cultivating Scientific Mindset from School Age

Nane Ananikyan is 17 years old and studies in the 11th grade at Yerevan State University's STEM high school. During STEM Expo 2025, Nane enthusiastically shared biotechnology knowledge with her classmates and conducted experiments, demonstrating the results to expo visitors and participants.

"We're showcasing handmade models of plant and animal cells that we created ourselves, along with various cross-sections, tissues, and bacteria that can be viewed under a microscope. Our classmates Hovhannes and Ani are also here with us - they've developed an AI model that can identify and analyze images," explained Nane.

On April 19th, the STEM Expo 2025 scientific event was held under the sponsorship of AraratBank, bringing together science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to showcase the key pillars of development for the younger generation.

This year's expo featured more than 200 students and over 80 STEM teachers presenting their projects in an interactive format.

According to Ruben Lusinyants, Vice-Chairman of the ARPA Institute, this event is "part of the culture and heritage of the ARPA Institute, which contributes to creating a platform for collaboration between different sectors."

Ruben Lusinyants

"The event has united two major initiatives - the STEMAR educational program, which promotes project-based learning in Armenian schools by providing teacher training, scientific equipment, and ongoing support, and the Adrin Gharakhani Annual Invention Competition, which highlights the potential of young scientists and encourages the implementation of innovative ideas. Our educational methodology allows children to be creative, bold, and unafraid of challenges," noted Ruben Lusinyants.

According to him, the role of financial organizations, particularly AraratBank, in organizing the event and future sponsorship of educational programs is very important: "AraratBank is the first financial institution to sponsor such a program, which opens doors and serves as an example for other companies."

Anna Allahverdyan, Head of Communication and CSR Programs Coordination Division at AraratBank, said that in 2023 alone, the bank invested over 100 million drams in social programs, with a predominant focus on educational opportunities.

Anna Allahverdyan

"Beyond sponsoring the STEM Expo, we're fulfilling an even more important mission. This year, we've signed a cooperation agreement with the ARPA Research Institute to finance the preparation of educational packages for five public schools in the Lori region and their implementation in the new academic year. This will enable children and teachers to carry out project-based programs. We consider this especially important in the context of continuous development of education quality in the regions," noted Anna Allahverdyan.

Yelena Ghukasyan, ARPA Institute’s STEMAR Educational Program Lead, mentioned that the educational program is based on an approach tailored to the individual development of children and regional requirements.

Yelena Ghukasyan

"Children's integration into the program plays a primary role right from the beginning of the year. We learn from students and teachers to make the program dynamic and relevant to the real needs of the given region," said Yelena Ghukasyan.

Yelena also emphasizes that they work with a targeted center model, collaborating with different schools to create a long-term impact.

The program is being rolled out in phases; currently, it covers three regions, and in the next academic year, the geographical coverage will expand.

Nune Grigoryan
Photos by Agape Grigoryan