Maps, routes and team unity: "Geography Not-Lesson" for schoolchildren held at the National Centre RUSSIA

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A visit to an exposition becomes especially vivid and memorable when it is turned into an exciting adventure. Young guests of the "Geography Lessons" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA took part in the "Geography Not-Lesson" project by the Russian Geographical Society, the general partner of the exposition. In the interactive format of the "Adventures of Discoverers" team game, schoolchildren gained deeper knowledge of our country through its history, culture and natural wealth.

Participants had to pass through the thematic zones of the exposition, complete tasks, look for clues and solve the final test. They explored locations dedicated to expeditions and discoveries, space exploration, natural resources and the scale of Russia. Divided into teams, they studied maps and the routes of great explorers together, solved logic tasks and collected elements of the final challenge.

Eighth-grader Alexei Chugunov from the E. M. Primakov Gymnasium in the Moscow Region said that he had already taken part in similar events before, but it was the "Geography Lessons" exposition that made this experience special.

"We had taken part in similar events before, but they were held at our gymnasium. Here, thanks to the exposition, it was even more interesting. We walked through the exposition and saw everything. I liked the travel hall most of all, because I love this topic very much. That is why in the quest I mainly did the task about travel. The exposition is very interesting, and I advise everyone to visit it," said Alexei, whose team took first place following the "Geography Not-Lesson".

Geography teacher Ulyana Razumnaya from a private school in Khimki in the Moscow Region brought her pupils to the "Geography Not-Lesson" and noted the unconventional approach and high level of organisation of the interactive adventure.

"We have taken part in projects by the Russian Geographical Society more than once, and I believe they are very important so that children know their history and geography, their homeland, Russia. After all, we have so many beautiful and wonderful places that we simply must know and admire. I really liked the approach itself: it involved movement, and the children had to think and do something on their own. They did not even need help from adults, because they became so involved that they managed to guess a lot, sometimes with the help of clues and sometimes intuitively. It seems to me that such events are very worthwhile, especially when they take place at such a wonderful interactive exposition organised by the National Centre RUSSIA," Ulyana Razumnaya shared.

"Geography Not-Lesson" is an educational project by the Russian Geographical Society. It combines game mechanics, modern technologies and a research-based approach, helping participants take a fresh look at the history, culture and nature of Russia. Each "Not-Lesson" is an opportunity to study geography and related sciences not from a textbook, but through personal experience, with the curiosity of a discoverer. The project has already covered all regions of Russia and even gone beyond the country’s borders.

The "Geography Lessons" exposition is being held at the National Centre RUSSIA until 9 July. The exposition invites visitors on a journey through the centuries: from ancient scrolls to digital maps, from the first geographical discoveries to space exploration. The exposition will be of interest to people of all ages. Like all events at the National Centre RUSSIA, it can be visited free of charge.