Scientific and pedagogical achievements of academic staff at the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies are finding practical application not only in the educational process but also in work with gifted school students. A notable example of such collaboration is a research project conducted by Alisa Schneider, an eleventh-grade school student of the Dnipro Lyceum No. 144 named after Levi Itzhak Schneerson, under the scientific supervision of Yaroslava Koltsova, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemical Technologies of Ceramics, Glass, and Biomedical Materials.
The research focused on foam glass, a promising thermal insulation material produced from secondary raw materials, including waste glass and blast furnace slag. This approach combines technological innovation with environmental sustainability and addresses current challenges in energy efficiency and resource conservation.
During the project, the primary focus was placed on investigating the physicochemical properties of foam glass and exploring ways to optimize them. Under the guidance of a university lecturer, the student conducted a series of laboratory experiments, adjusting temperature regimes and component ratios, and analyzed the structure of the obtained samples, their mechanical strength, and thermal insulation performance. Each stage of the research was conducted with comparative analysis of results and conclusions regarding the material’s effectiveness.
As Yaroslava Koltsova noted, foam glass has significant potential for application in modern construction. The material is characterized by high fire resistance, moisture resistance, and biological stability, while its porous structure provides not only thermal but also sound insulation properties. At the same time, the use of secondary raw materials makes it possible to reduce environmental impact and to implement the principles of sustainable development in industrial technologies.
Current conditions also make the topic quite relevant, since heat and energy conservation have become especially important. For this reason, such research holds not only scientific but also social value, as it is aimed at finding practical solutions to improve comfort and energy efficiency in residential and public buildings.
The involvement of USUST faculty members in school research projects contributes to the development of students’ research skills, promotes natural and technical sciences, and encourages young people to pursue studies in chemical and technological fields. For Alisa Schneider, this work became an important step in her scientific development and preparation for competitions of the Junior Academy of Sciences.
The Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies will continue to support initiatives that integrate university research, education, and real-world challenges, providing school students with pathways toward informed career choices and scientific development.
