On June 29, 2026, with the support of the National “Education with Science” Program, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” held the “Education with Science” 2026 Summer Lecture Series for high school students. Numerous students in grades 8 through 11 from the National High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the Sofia High School of Mathematics, the 9th French Language High School, and Izzy Science for Kids took part in the sessions and learned more about the opportunities for studying the natural and mathematical sciences offered by the faculties of Sofia University.
The event, held in hall 113 of the Center of Excellence UNITe, was opened by Professor Maya Stoyanova, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics (FMI), who presented the educational opportunities available at FMI. Prof. Stoyanova also presented the awards to the laureates of the “Prof. Borislav Boyanov” National Elementary Mathematics Competition. Prof. Anela Ivanova, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, presented the career opportunities as well as the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes offered by the Faculty. Associate Professor Lyuben Zagorchev, Dean of the Faculty of Biology, introduced the students to the educational programmes and fields of study available in the biological sciences. On behalf of the Faculty of Physics, the Vice Dean, Assoc. Prof. Vladimir Bozhilov, presented examples of successful alumni of the Faculty and the opportunities for studying the physical sciences at the best university in Bulgaria – Sofia University.
As part of the lecture panel, Senior Assistant Professor Stoyan Apostolov from the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics explained the connection between a soccer ball, the shape of the universe, and big data analysis. Senior Assist. Prof. Atanas Grozdanov from the Faculty of Biology spoke about species diversity in Bulgaria and how scientists are working to protect and successfully preserve endangered species. After a short break, Senior Assist. Prof. Tsvetomil Voyslavov from the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy presented the results of an original, long-term study on pollution in the area of the former Kremikovtsi Metallurgical Complex. The results show the extent to which nature is able to cope with the consequences of pollution caused by human activity.
In the final lecture before the hands-on session, the audience learned more about active galactic nuclei and the leading research being conducted by Bulgarian astronomers in this field, presented by Assoc. Prof. Vladimir Bozhilov from the Faculty of Physics at Sofia University.
In the afternoon, the students visited the Sofia University Astronomical Observatory, which, with its nearly 130-year history, demonstrates the key importance of astronomy to the Bulgarian science and education. The Observatory’s buildings were the first to be constructed specifically for the needs of the Sofia University. To this day, students enrolled in the programs of the Department of Astronomy at the Faculty of Physics study here, and thousands of visitors come to the Observatory every year. As part of the 2026 “Education with Science” Summer Lecture Series, the participants learned about the Observatory and its history through a lecture by Assoc. Prof. Evgeni Ovcharov, head of the Department of Astronomy. With the help of astronomers from the department’s team, the students toured the scientific infrastructure and observed the sun through Bulgaria’s oldest permanently mounted telescope, as well as through specially equipped solar telescopes; and learned about the Observatory’s role as the national Time service – a function that has been carried out for about half a century by astronomers at Sofia University.
Throughout the lecture, the students participated actively and asked many questions, demonstrating their interest in education and careers in the fields of natural sciences and mathematics.
You can find more information about the “Education with Science” National Program here:
https://educationwithscience.online/
