How PRO.NRG FEST 2026 went — a family festival of space and water science in Astana

On April 11, the fifth family science festival PRO.NRG FEST 2026 took place in Astana. This year, the event was held in anticipation of two significant dates — Science Day and Cosmonautics Day. As part of the program, astronomy popularizer Artur Gaiduk conducted an interactive lecture and an astronomical excursion.

The Cosmic Origin of Water

The central theme of this year's festival was water. This resource was examined from various perspectives — ranging from chemistry and physics to ecology, design, and astronomy.

Artur Gaiduk, founder of the Astro Astana astronomy school and a science popularizer, spoke about the connection between space and water. According to him, these phenomena are closely linked: modern satellite technologies are used to monitor water resources and find solutions for their conservation, including in Kazakhstan.

He also noted that space research helps in finding new sources of fresh water, as surface resources are already largely studied. Moreover, water exists not only on Earth — traces of it are found in various forms throughout the Solar System and on exoplanets.

Observing Space

With the support of the organizers — the Caravan of Knowledge corporate foundation and Chevron — an evening of astronomical observations was held as part of the festival. The "sidewalk astronomy" format, regularly conducted by the project team, was expanded to a festival scale this time.

Open telescope observations were organized on the territory of the Astana EXPO park. Jupiter was the main object of observation. Favorable weather conditions allowed for comprehensive observations.

Participants were able to see the four largest moons of the planet — Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto — as well as distinguish the striped structure of the atmosphere and large atmospheric formations.

Space and Technology in Everyday Life

The observations were timed to coincide with Cosmonautics Day, celebrated on April 12. For Kazakhstan, this date is associated with the Baikonur Cosmodrome — one of the largest and oldest space launch complexes in the world.

Artur Gaiduk noted that the results of space research are now applied in various fields — from geodesy to navigation and data analysis. His professional career began in the field of geodesy, which later evolved into work with astronomical and satellite systems.

Education Through Digital Environments

According to the expert, interest in science among teenagers can be fostered through digital tools — simulators, educational applications, and interactive formats.

Over five years, PRO.NRG FEST has become a platform uniting scientific and educational activities for children and families. The festival demonstrates that scientific topics can be presented in an accessible format and help spark interest in research among a wide audience.