NXplorers

EN

NXplorers:
Zhasyl Urpaq Baigesi

Digital ecosystem for environmental education
and project solutions

Submit an application for training Watch the eco-course

About the Project

The program is implemented by the "Caravan of Knowledge" foundation, with support from Shell and the "Daryn" Republican Scientific and Practical Center under the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Its goal is to develop systemic and critical thinking among students and educators to address real-world environmental issues, including those related to climate, water, waste, air quality, and agriculture.

#WHO IS IT FOR?

Bringing together those who teach, explore, and shape the future

NXplorers is an educational program for students and educators designed to develop systems thinking, environmental literacy, and project-based learning skills.
The program empowers participants to explore real-world environmental challenges and develop sustainable solutions through the NXthinking methodology and a STEAM-based approach.

Educators

Gain new tools for systems thinking and project-based teaching.

Students

Explore environmental challenges and develop their own environmental projects.

#WHAT WE DO?

A Structured Approach to Environmental Education, Development, and Project-Based Learning

Systems Thinking

STEAM Education

Sustainable Development

Project-Based Learning

#THE PROBLEM

Environmental problems are interconnected

To find sustainable solutions, one must look beyond an individual problem to the entire system of causes and consequences. Climate change, water scarcity, waste, energy consumption, and the state of ecosystems are all interconnected. NXplorers helps participants explore not only the consequences of a problem but also its root causes, interrelationships, and potential future scenarios.

#approach

From problem to solution

A participant’s journey: from researching an environmental challenge to developing a project that can be tested and implemented

Research

Identifying current environmental challenges, investigating their causes, and gathering information to gain a deeper understanding of the problem.
Analysis

Exploring connections between different factors and identifying the causes and consequences of environmental challenges using NXthinking systems thinking tools.
Seeing the Bigger Picture

Examining environmental challenges from multiple perspectives, understanding stakeholder interests, and assessing their impact on society and the environment.
Forecasting

Developing possible future scenarios, analyzing risks, and assessing the long-term consequences of proposed solutions.
Creation

Generating innovative ideas, developing environmental projects, and building prototypes using a STEAM-based approach.
Action

Testing proposed solutions in practice, evaluating results, and identifying opportunities for further development and scaling of projects.

#WHAT IS THE NXTHINKING METHODOLOGY?

Thinking That Transforms Perspectives

NXthinking — Tools for Systems Thinking.
Three tools help explore complex environmental systems:

Systems Thinking

Seeing the bigger picture: understanding the elements, causes, and connections within a system.

Perspectives

Exploring a problem from different points of view.

Scenario Thinking

Anticipating future scenarios and evaluating the consequences of decisions.

The methodology encourages participants to look beyond quick, “right” answers, develop a deeper understanding of complex systems, and create more sustainable solutions.

#THE PLATFORM

One place.
Many possibilities.

Courses, tools, materials, a competition, and a database of solutions — all within a single digital ecosystem.

Program Stages

Participant registration for the training program.

Teacher training and issuance of certificates of participation.

Student training conducted by trained teachers. Issuance of trainer certificates.

Launch of school-based projects developed by teams of teachers and students.

Registration for the Zhasyl Urpaq Competition. More details are available in the "Competition" section.

Semifinal and Final.

Festival and Awards Ceremony for the winners.

Grant Awards and Project Implementation.

#PARTICIPANT PROJECTS

Ideas that become solutions

CLEAN ENERGY

Lumora

Jetisu Green Volt is an innovative project developed by the Lumora team from School-Lyceum No. 18 in Taldykorgan, aimed at generating clean energy...

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RECYCLING

Smart Remakers

The team identified the problem of excessive paper, glass, and household waste accumulating at school and at home due to the lack of...

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MECHANICAL ENERGY

Eco power

The project introduces a system that recovers mechanical energy generated by footsteps and pressure on floor modules. Inside each module...

Learn More

#РАЗВИТИЕ

Our Journey of Growth and Expansion

2021- 2022
Pilot Launch in Western Kazakhstan
The project was launched in schools across the West Kazakhstan and Atyrau regions.
During this period:
87 teachers and 160 students were trained.
38 environmental projects were developed.
11 projects received grant funding totaling KZT 700,000.
Jasyl Fest was held in two cities: Atyrau and Uralsk.
2023

Nationwide Expansion and Memorandum of Cooperation
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Shell, and Caravan of Knowledge, an expanded NXplorers program was developed to integrate the methodology into Kazakhstan's public school education system.
The program expanded nationwide, reaching more regions, participants, and educational institutions.
2024

Program Development and National Competition
2024 was declared the “Year of NXplorers in Kazakhstan.”
With the support of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center “Daryn,” the first national NXplorers competition was held.
A total of 226 teams registered for the competition, with 117 projects submitted during the selection stage.
20 finalists were selected, and 5 projects received grants of KZT 1,000,000 each to implement their environmental solutions.
2025

International Recognition of Program Participants
The NXplorers program continued its implementation across Kazakhstan, with 223 projects submitted to the competition in its fifth cycle.
At the same time, NXplorers trainers — practicing teachers and program participants — gained international recognition by winning awards at the Shell NXplorers Global Inspiration Awards.
Learn more about their achievements in the “Awards” section.