“My lifetime goal is to be a dedicated professional and a good citizen of Armenia. Armenia needs strong scientists, and I have decided to contribute to the development of science in my Homeland!”
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Science camp has helped 18-year-old Nune Hovakimyan make a life-changing decision to pursue a career in physics. This September, she will begin her academic journey at the Department of Physics at Yerevan State University.
Nune, from the village of Nerkin Karmiraghbyur in Tavush province, discovered her passion for physics as a teenager when she first attended the FAR-supported Byurakan science camp four years ago. There, she had a transformative experience that not only deepened her understanding of physics but also expanded her perspective on space and the world around her.
At school, Nune developed an insatiable curiosity about physics, but she was often left unsatisfied with the answers she received. "As I grew older, my curiosity about many questions intensified, and I felt incomplete without finding the answers. Physics provided a way to seek those answers. Whenever I asked my teacher questions at school, she would often say that science hadn't yet advanced enough to provide answers. This sense of dissatisfaction and incompleteness fueled my passion for this path."
In early spring, Nune, along with 1,556 middle and high school students from 57 schools across the Tavush and Syunik provinces, participated in a FAR-supported large-scale STEM Olympiad. She emerged as one of the winners in physics, earning the opportunity to join her peers in a science camp organized jointly with the “Hzor Mitk” (Strong Mind) NGO thanks to the generous support of the Yeramyan Family Foundation.
This was Nune’s second experience at the science camp, which, she acknowledges, was distinct from the previous one. “We visited scientific research centers and companies, gaining insights into the life of a true scientist. What impressed me most was their enthusiasm for the work. It was incredibly motivating to see how much information they possessed and how eager they were to share their knowledge with us. In short, their dedication to science is truly inspiring.”
At the camp, the high schoolers also had the opportunity to build lasting friendships, engage in fun activities, and create lasting memories, all while becoming part of fascinating experiments and discussions.
To continue nurturing the bright minds of tomorrow and fuel their thirst for knowledge, consider donating to FAR today.
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