"Chemistry classes at schools last for 40-45 minutes, and within this time frame, engaging every student in chemical reactions and ensuring each is involved is tough. There's just not enough time for experiments. This task becomes particularly challenging when there are more than 30 students in a class," explains Zuhra Mahkamova in an interview with Kun.uz correspondent.

Zuhra Mahkamova is 20 years old. In 2021, she earned admission on a grant basis to 13 higher education institutions. She is currently a third-year student at the Tashkent branch of the D.I. Mendeleev Russian University of Chemical Technology and has been teaching chemistry for three years. Zuhra is the author of the "Mendeleyev Kids" and "Chemistry in a Flask" projects. In an interview with a Kun.uz correspondent, Zuhra explained why chemistry lessons in general education schools fail to capture students' interest and dwelled on the decline of the value of knowledge among her peers as a young educator.

Easy achievements are not for me

"My father always says, 'Educate a daughter, you educate a generation; educate a son, you educate a family.' In our family, great importance is placed on the education of girls. Like my peers, I wanted to hang out, play with phones, and computers during my years of study, but my parents closely monitored my education. My father has always inspired us to pursue knowledge. We have a motto in our family that 'easy achievements are not for us,' so we always strive to attain the more challenging things. The achievements that come with effort later on turn out to be beautiful.

Indeed, at the beginning, understanding chemistry wasn’t easy. Sometimes, I even cried over not being able to do the tasks given by tutors. Before being accepted into university, I learned from more than ten different teachers and studied their methodologies. Through efforts and explorations, today chemistry has become my life.

Teaching my peers has been difficult

“When I was in 8th grade, my mother took me to a chemistry club, but I didn't understand anything and said I wouldn't study it. I struggled with the subject for a year. Nevertheless, I kept searching tirelessly, and I started teaching at the age of 17. Teaching my peers hasn't been easy. Initially, I hid my age from my students because some might find it hard to take me seriously if they knew they were the same age or I was younger than them. Some would come to class crying, and it would take a lot of energy to comfort and engage them in the lesson. Others attended classes not of their own will but because their parents forced them. Winning their hearts and arousing interest in the lessons required a special art and deep psychological knowledge.

Chemistry is more interesting than watching movies

Usually, I explain chemical processes and reactions by comparing them to events in movies and series. My students like this, and that’s why they enjoy my classes.

I have set myself the goal of increasing the interest level in chemistry among the youth. Currently, I am leading both the "Mendeleyev Kids" and "Chemistry in a Flask" projects. In the "Mendeleyev Kids" project, we teach children from 6 to 18 years old initial concepts of chemistry and perform various types of chemical reactions. You know, a child who has conducted some chemical reaction with their own hands becomes deeply fascinated by chemistry. For this reason, the number of attendees to our club is growing. It's worth mentioning that within a year and a half, we have welcomed nearly 3,000 children to the project, successfully sparking a strong interest in chemistry among many of them — this is an achievement we are proud of.

The "Chemistry in a Flask" project is exclusively designed for girls. It offers free weekly master classes in chemistry for girls.

Everything around us is, in essence, chemistry. While the term "chemistry" may conjure a set of specific concepts for some people, every object possesses a chemical composition and is subject to chemical reactions. Our very lives are comprised entirely of chemical processes. There's a saying that doesn’t go without merit: the first laboratory is the kitchen, and the first chemist is a woman.

Teaching something to students, explaining concepts they do not understand, provides me with a sense of satisfaction. When I dictate notes for them to write down in their notebooks, I strive to present the information in an interesting manner. Their happiness and uplifted spirits bring me joy. Usually, I come into classes feeling tired, but I leave feeling refreshed.

Chemistry textbooks in schools are complex

In schools, chemistry classes last 40–45 minutes, and within this time frame, it's challenging to perform chemical reactions and involve each student in the process. For example, carrying out a reaction requires careful observation and control to ensure that the reagents do not harm the surroundings or the students. Conducting such an experiment in a class with more than thirty students can be rather inconvenient.

There's a heavy emphasis on theory in schools, which results in students not developing an interest in chemistry. I believe simplifying the textbooks is necessary. A pupil in the 7th grade may lose the desire to read after seeing the complexities in the book. Based on my observations, I'm currently writing a chemistry book specifically for children, which will be published in the coming months. Finding an editor for the book was difficult initially — owing to its novel approach. The theories of chemistry are written in simple language, and the design is colorful enough to captivate children.

The value of knowledge is diminishing

For some reason, well-dressed individuals seem to be gaining more respect than knowledgeable ones in today's youth society. The value of knowledge is falling. My peers aim to work less and earn more. Great earnings cannot be achieved with little effort in the field of science; knowledge has its own demands and hard work. I enjoy promoting chemistry among the youth and currently devote most of my time to this endeavor. My primary goal is to demonstrate the intriguing aspects of the subject of chemistry and to enhance people’s understanding of this field. There's also a stereotypical mindset in many families that chemistry technology is not for girls — I'm working hard to shatter this stereotype.

If you're well-versed in the field, you can earn up to $20,000 a month

In Uzbekistan, good specialists in chemical technologies are rare, and there's nearly no competition in the job market for this field. By mastering chemistry, one can comfortably earn a significant income, potentially ranging from a starting salary of 3 million soums to up to $20,000 depending on experience and expertise.

If you don't have your own goals, you'll work for someone else's

Many people live their lives chasing other people's goals. If someone buys a car, they say, "I'll buy that kind of car too," or if others get the latest iPhone, they follow suit. However, material possessions such as cars or houses have never been my ultimate goal; they're not significant achievements. In my opinion, everyone should strive to leave behind a good legacy. It's extremely important for a person to find their real purpose in life on this path.

Interviewed by Diyora Nabijonova
Camera operator: Abdulqodir Tulkinov
Video editing by Nizomjon Tоshpulatov.