Young Nizhny Novgorod residents have the opportunity to visit the North Pole.

      On May 10, 2026, at 10:02 AM, Society. Young residents of Nizhny Novgorod aged 14 to 16 can participate in the international scientific and educational project of the state corporation Rosatom, "Icebreaker of Knowledge." The winners will embark on an expedition to the North Pole aboard the nuclear icebreaker "50 Years of Victory." The expedition is timed to coincide with the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Representatives from all federal districts of the country will participate in the event for the first time. The launch of the seventh season of the "Icebreaker of Knowledge" project was announced at the "ATOM" museum at VDNH, with a competitive selection among schoolchildren, college, and technical school students. "The 'Icebreaker of Knowledge' project opens up the world of modern science, engineering, and high technology for curious kids. In the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, representatives from all federal districts of our multinational country will go on the expedition. This is particularly symbolic, as representatives from all the peoples of Russia have contributed to domestic science, and the achievements of the nuclear industry are one of the brightest testimonies to this. Many finalists from previous seasons have already become students at the flagship universities of 'Rosatom.' It is important for us that the 'Icebreaker of Knowledge' forms the future personnel reserve for high-tech sectors of our country," said Alexey Likhachev, General Director of the state corporation "Rosatom." To participate in the selection, registration is required by May 24 inclusive at the website: polus.atom.online/, and candidates must demonstrate their abilities in intellectual challenges and creative tasks. In the seventh season, participants will compete in three thematic tracks: "Seeker" (for future scientists, researchers, and science journalists); "Creator" (for future engineers, designers, and constructors); and "Master" (for future representatives of skilled trades) — for the first time in the project's history. "This year, a separate 'Master' track has been included in the competition for the first time. It will unite college and technical school students. I would like to note that this decision is an important step in strengthening the prestige of skilled trades and implementing a strategy for proactive training of personnel for high-tech industries. Today, adjusters, specialists in digital production systems, and other representatives of skilled trades are in unprecedented demand," commented Sergey Kravtsov, Minister of Education of the Russian Federation. 96 schoolchildren and students who showed the best results in the online stages of the "Icebreaker of Knowledge" selection will participate in in-person regional semifinals, which will take place in each of the eight federal districts. Participants will have to solve practical tasks related to advanced areas of development in the nuclear industry: from nuclear energy and quantum technologies to nuclear medicine and sustainable development in the Arctic. "The semifinals of the 'Icebreaker of Knowledge' competition will take place for the second year in youth center spaces simultaneously in eight federal districts. Thus, together with 'Rosatom,' we are creating equal opportunities for kids across the country to fulfill their dreams. A schoolchild from Surgut, Troitsk, or Blagoveshchensk goes through the selection for the expedition under absolutely the same conditions as a schoolchild from Moscow. Youth centers being established across the country as part of the national project 'Youth and Children' are opening their doors to kids who strive for knowledge and want to realize their potential," emphasized Grigory Gurov, head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs. In the final selection, which will take place in June 2026 in Moscow, two teams from each of the eight federal districts of Russia will compete. Participants from those teams that show the best results in their district will go on the Arctic expedition to the North Pole. Along with the Russian winners, schoolchildren from 22 countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa will join the expedition, highlighting the truly global nature of the project. The winners of the open competitive selections of the "Icebreaker of Knowledge" project will also be joined in the Arctic expedition on the nuclear icebreaker to the North Pole by prize winners and champions of major federal, regional, and industry youth competitions and Olympiads. The "Icebreaker of Knowledge" expedition is scheduled for August 2026. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.