Report on the Educational and Cognitive Trip to the “Science Orda”

On December 5, 2025, under the guidance of lecturers Raushan Mukhambetovna Shaikhymbekova and K. S. Nurzhanova from the Department of Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics, an educational and cognitive trip was organized for the students of the curatorial groups M25-011k, M25-012k, M25-013k, and M25-014k to the “Science Orda” RSE in Almaty. The main goal of the trip was to enhance students’ scientific research culture, introduce them to the system of preserving the country’s scientific heritage, provide an understanding of the activities of scientific institutions, and allow them to become more familiar with the intersection of science and culture.

The “Science Orda” is a multifunctional scientific institution in Kazakhstan. It consists of the Central Scientific Library, a scientific archive, a scientific staff training center, and four major museums:

The Museum of Nature, which showcases valuable collections related to Kazakhstan’s fauna and geological history;

The Archaeological Museum, where archaeological artifacts, excavation results, and relics of ancient cultures of Kazakhstan are displayed;

The Museum of Rare Books, which preserves unique manuscripts, ancient publications, historical books, and rare literary treasures;

The Museum of the History of Science in Kazakhstan, where materials related to the lives and works of Kazakh scientists from different eras, scientific discoveries, and research history are presented.

During the excursion, the students first familiarized themselves with the structure of the Central Scientific Library and the preservation methods for rare books and manuscripts. They received detailed information about the library’s historical development, the services it provides to the scientific community, and the opportunities to use modern informational resources. Afterward, the students visited the Museum of Nature, where they observed various exhibits related to the fauna and flora of Kazakhstan, including fossil remains and animal collections. In the Archaeological Museum, they explored archaeological finds related to the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, and the medieval period, which highlight the development of ancient cultures in Kazakhstan.

In the Museum of Rare Books, the students learned about the preservation conditions of historically significant editions and manuscripts, as well as the scientific value of books and the specificities of archival materials. At the Museum of the History of Science in Kazakhstan, they gained knowledge about the scientific achievements of national scholars, the development of various fields of science, the formation of scientific schools, and the progress of science during the period of independence.

At the end of the trip, the students visited the scientific archive, where they were introduced to the processes of document preservation, processing, and usage for scientific purposes. Archive staff explained the historical and cultural significance of archival documents and the ongoing digitization process.

This educational and cognitive trip not only expanded the students’ scientific worldview but also allowed them to better understand the historical, cultural, and value significance of Kazakhstan’s science. As a result of the event, students developed a greater interest in science, and their informational and cognitive level increased. Additionally, they gained a clearer understanding of the role of scientific institutions in preserving, developing, and promoting the country’s scientific heritage. The trip fully achieved its purpose and became a valuable and meaningful experience for the students.