The first Russian Space Week: An educational impetus for preschool education

The event, initiated by the decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 29, 2025, united the efforts of the government, business, and the scientific community. For preschool education, the key outcome of the event was the confirmation of the high effectiveness of early career guidance and patriotic education through space themes.

The event was organized by the Russian Government and the Roscosmos State Corporation, with the support of leading development institutions. From April 6 to 12, more than 1,000 events were held across the country, reaching an audience of over 100 million people.

Of particular significance to the teaching community is the participation of 21 million schoolchildren and college students in educational events, who attended the "Conversations on Important Things" themed sessions. This experience demonstrates the high potential for integrating space topics into educational programs at various levels, including early childhood education. Events were also held in kindergartens.

A comprehensive program for engaging children and young people in scientific and technical creativity was developed:

An educational marathon at the Tereshkova National Space Center (in partnership with the "Knowledge" society) brought together over 1,500 participants. Master classes and meetings with experts, including Roscosmos Director Dmitry Bakanov and cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, set high standards for science popularization.

The "Team of the Future" forum at MAI and the Russian Space Forum brought together young specialists and representatives of the international community, defining the vectors of development for the industry for decades to come. These events create an important context for preschool education: developing initial understanding of space, technology, and heroism becomes the foundation for students' future professional development.

Space Week demonstrated successful models of intersectoral collaboration that can be adapted for preschool settings:

• Media education: broadcasts on the Rossiya 24 television channel, thematic selections on the Kinopoisk and Kion platforms, free screenings of documentaries in cinemas (attended by nearly 60,000 viewers).

• Urban environment: media façade design, the "Space Week Street" campaign on Novy Arbat, and an exhibition on the Ostankino TV Tower (337 meters—the tallest in Europe).

• Interactive formats: the large-scale "Space Dictation" (500 in-person and 40,000 online participants), the audiovisual show "Cosmo Night," and the photo exhibition "From Gagarin to You," which was also presented at Russian embassies abroad.

Practical Solutions for Preschools

A number of Space Week initiatives have direct practical application for working with preschool-aged children:

• Educational Game Products: The release of 2.2 million "Kids Combo" construction sets (Vkusno i Tochka chain) confirms the demand for accessible educational materials on space topics.

• Interdisciplinary Projects: The launch of the National Gastronomic Festival "First in Space" (more than 70 restaurants in 18 regions) illustrates the potential for integrating educational content through various activities, including sensory development and familiarization with the surrounding world.

• Digital Resources: The use of Russian Railways video content, media screens, and online platforms for broadcasting historical materials can be adapted for multimedia lessons in kindergartens.

Expert Assessment

"The events that took place demonstrated that younger generations are highly interested in the industry. People—both experienced specialists and new talent—are the fundamental factor behind new breakthroughs. We will certainly support this interest," noted First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov.

The motto of Space Week 2026, "The Future Belongs to Those Who Look Up," resonates with the goals of modern preschool education: fostering curiosity, patriotism, and a desire to understand the world.

Prospects for Cooperation

The Roscosmos State Corporation, which unites approximately 100 organizations and 165,000 specialists, has confirmed its commitment to developing educational partnerships. For preschool teachers, this opens up opportunities to:

• use relevant teaching materials on space topics;

• organizing virtual tours and meetings with industry representatives;

• incorporating elements of space education into patriotic and educational development programs.