Olga Svetlova, Alena Vedernikova and Leonid Shelkovnikov
The Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, together with its industry partner, Kairos Engineering, and with the support of software developer Renga Software LLC, held a week-long intensive course for eighth-graders in Feodosia. The course was part of the "Digital Construction Classes" project. The classes took place from 19 till 23 January at Feodosia School No. 7.
The course was taught by Alena Vedernikova, Acting Head of the Department of Information and Mathematical Modeling Technologies (I&MMT) in Construction, and Olga Svetlova, Senior Lecturer at the Department of I&MMT in Construction and Leading Specialist at the SPbGASU Educational Center for Project-Based Learning. Expert guidance was provided by Leonid Shelkovnikov, Head of the Information Modeling Technologies Department at Kairos Engineering.
Seventeen schoolchildren participated in the intensive course. During a week of practical training, they completed the full project creation cycle in a TIM environment – from architectural sketch to finished model.
The training program covered the basics of building information modeling in the Russian software environment Renga Professional and the development of a personal "Dream House" project, including the creation of a 3D model, floor plans, facades, sections, and room specifications. Following the course, participants defended their projects before an expert committee consisting of representatives from SPbGASU, Kairos Engineering and the school's director, Svetlana Khachatryan.
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the teachers – Olga Igorevna, Alena Andreevna and Leonid Yuryevich – for their high level of professionalism and dedication. Your lessons were engaging, structured, and deeply meaningful. Thank you for your patience and ability to find an approach to each student. You didn't just teach the subject; you inspired our development!" remarked Svetlana Khachatryan.
The "Digital Construction Classes" project aims to provide early career guidance and introduce students to construction professions and modern construction technologies. The most successful participants will eventually be able to apply their acquired skills at the All-Russian School TIM Championship.
The next stage for Feodosia schoolchildren will be an intensive course scheduled for the next March. It will focus on in-depth study of buildings' engineering systems, allowing participants to expand their skills in integrated digital design.
