The III Regional Conference "School of Opportunities: Practices of Differentiated Learning" Held at the Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Astana

Today, the Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics in Astana hosted the III Regional Conference titled "School of Opportunities: Practices of Differentiated Learning."

The event brought together 169 participants — educators, researchers, students, and leaders of educational organizations — all committed to the advancement of modern, practice-oriented education.

The aim of the conference was to strengthen research culture in schools, enhance teachers’ professional competencies, and create a platform for sharing experiences, ideas, and best practices in differentiated instruction.

In his opening address, Zhanbyrjan Bekbolatov, Director of the Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Astana, emphasized the significance of research in education and the importance of being open to innovative pedagogical approaches.

The keynote speech was delivered by Professor Collin McLaughlin, Honorary Professor at the University of Cambridge, and Kate Evans, education consultant and researcher. Their presentation, "Improving Teacher Practice through Research," deeply resonated with the audience and served as an inspiring launchpad for further discussions.

Special attention was given to research presentations by the school’s 11th-grade students, who explored pressing psychological and educational issues within the school environment.

Rasul Junusov presented a study on how satisfaction with teacher-student relationships influences motivation and academic performance, highlighting the role of emotional climate in enhancing learning outcomes.

Aidana Konysbayeva examined the impact of stress and anxiety on high school students' academic success, identifying factors that lower psychological resilience and hinder students’ ability to cope with academic pressure.

Meanwhile, Aym Sultanova shared findings from her analysis of how preferred learning styles vary depending on the subject, reinforcing the importance of personalized approaches to education.

Following the plenary session, participants joined six thematic breakout sessions to discuss innovative teaching methods, the development of students' functional literacy and research skills, personalized learning strategies, and teachers’ professional growth.

A key feature of the conference was the poster session, where teachers showcased the results of their own research. This segment fostered informal dialogue and professional exchange among educators.

The conference concluded with an Ignite session — a series of brief, energetic presentations, each designed to highlight a compelling idea or teaching practice in just a few minutes, encouraging peers to implement fresh strategies in their own classrooms.