Nope, those red-headed siblings are not the Weasleys of the Harry Potter universe; they’re the Hovhikyans of TUMO: 17-year-old Nane, 15-year-old Mery, and 14-year-old Davit. You’ll find them either at TUMO Gyumri, where they attend workshops and learning labs, or at the TUMO Box in Akhuryan. Besides TUMO Gyumri and the Akhuryan box you can even see one of them, Nane, on BBC. The siblings want to become skilled professionals in whichever field they specialize in because as they put it, “this is what Armenia needs to get stronger”. We peeked into their magical routine in and outside TUMO through a little questionnaire, so buckle up!

Q: What’s your first memory of TUMO?

Mery: The registration process. At that very moment, I had already wanted to dive into the world of TUMO.
Nane: The big red room where we do self-learning activities.
Davit: The first time I ever came to TUMO was with my sisters, but they couldn’t register me because of the age barrier, so I had to wait for four months.

Q: What are your favorite learning targets at TUMO?

Mery: Drawing, music, photography, graphic design, and 3D modeling.
Nane: Music, because I think it’s not only my hobby but also my passion, as I am a teenager, and it’s typical for people of my age.
Davit: Robotics and web development.

Q: What were the most notable learning labs you attended at TUMO?

Mery: “Ethnoculture” and “Soundtracks for Fairy Tales” where I created a soundtrack for an Armenian fairy tales, “The Swallow”.
Nane: “Ethnoculture,” where I composed an Argentinian tango, “Soundtracks for Fairy Tales” and Tom Auger’s “Art through Generative AI.”
Davit: The robotics ones.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned at TUMO?

Mery: Be more self-assertive.
Nane: Trusting myself.
Davit: It helped me decide what I want to do in the future.

^{Davit Hovhikyan’s website}

Q: What do you do outside of TUMO?

Mery: Music, drawing, and dance.
Nane: I love math and English.
Davit: Programming and developing websites. I also like participating in various contests, like the school competition ‘Koreez’ where I came out first.

Q: What do you plan to do in the future?

Mery: I have many goals for the future, which are more tangible now, thanks to TUMO.
Nane: I want to become a programmer.
Davit: I plan to become a programmer and start my own programming company.

Q: What’s one fun fact about yourself?

Mery: I sew clothes and knit dolls.
Nane: I never fail to smile.
Davit: I always like to be right and it doesn’t really matter what it’s about.

And one general answer to the question below:

Q: If you could say one thing to convince the teens of Akhuryan to join TUMO, what would you say?

A: TUMO will give you the opportunity to explore fields which can become your occupation in the future. Also, the fact that now kids can complete their self-learning activities at the box and go to the hub in Gyumri only for the workshops is already motivating enough.

We don’t know what the future is going to be like for the Hovhikyan siblings but we know for sure that it’s going to be magical. So, let’s wait and see.

In Anna Schwartzman’s writing learning lab — one of our ongoing collaborations with the University of Columbia — students explored the intersection of music in literature.

Students analyzed literature from a variety of writers — like Virginia Woolf and Audre Lorde — who have used music in both their subject matter as well as the word choice in their work.

After exploring the concepts of voice, performance, and silence in storytelling, TUMOians created their own collection of poems and short stories.

In Polish VFX specialist Krzesimir Drachal’s level three 3D modeling learning lab, our TUMOians discovered and practiced how animated pictures are actually made. They got savvy with the Houdini software that’s used for visual effects and 3D animations. With their newly acquired concepts of power effects, dynamics, cloth simulations, rigid bodies, and pyrotechnic effects, they added some commendable animated models to their portfolios.

Since its inception in 2011, TUMO has been recognized for its educational model and comprehensive program in various pedagogical initiatives and innovation-centered platforms. Following this tradition, TUMO was recently featured in HundrED, a mission-driven organization specializing in innovative education for K-12 (kindergarten through grade 12).

The organization envisions helping kids become global citizens through quality education. HundrED researches and identifies organizations and institutions that have made an innovative impact in the education sector globally. In their evaluation they focus on aspects of the institutions such as assessment, project-based learning, creative thinking, mental health, collaborative learning, learning environments, digital skills, literacy, educational equity and many more.

Within the scope of its mission, every year HundrEd acknowledges and celebrates 100 initiatives that have made a difference in their communities and the world. Many globally acknowledged programs, such as Room to Read (improves literacy and gender equality in education) and Compass Education (focuses on implementing sustainability in the curriculum) are featured in the HundrED Global Collection 2024.

This year, TUMO was selected as one of the 100 most groundbreaking and innovative educational initiatives in the HundrED Global Collection. The accolade acknowledges TUMO’s unique self-learning approach and its vision of giving teens the capacity to dive into their desired fields of study without any pressure. The publication also talks about how the impact of our program has taken it abroad, mentioning our international centers in countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, and more.

The report considers TUMO’s model unique because of the coach-supported independent learning activities, engaging workshops taught by the center’s savvy staff, and learning labs led by experienced professionals and industry leaders from around the world. Another aspect HundrEd finds fascinating about TUMO is that the students here can work together in various workshops and labs regardless of their age groups, social backgrounds, and interests which means this eliminates the possibility of forming student cohorts. They also tip a hat to how the “reward system” at TUMO is not about grades but rather getting access to the students’ desired workshops and learning labs.

We’re honored to be one of the initiatives that make a change for the better in the world. We would like to see how HundrED motivates educators to dive into life-changing initiatives around the world and thus uncoiling a chain of opportunities for younger kids.

In this Product Photography learning lab taught by artist and photographer Anna Prilutckaia, our TUMOians gave us quite the treat – a beautiful collection of nuanced photos that showcase TUMO Studios’ artisanal pieces. In the lab, students studied everything from the basics of the camera and subject shooting, to the delicate play of natural light, composition, props, color, and more. In this introduction to still life photography, they also researched renowned authors of the field and applied the concepts they discovered to lighting schemes in a real studio.

Their final results were presented in an innovative exhibition in a virtual space called Spatial.

December 28, Yerevan – TUMO Center for Creative Technologies announces a significant milestone: the TUMO network has now covered the entire Tavush marz. TUMO’s tech and design education is now available to all young people throughout the region — including the most remote, border communities, and a number of communities in neighboring regions.

The journey to making 21st century education available to the youth of Tavush began 10 years ago with the opening of TUMO Dilijan, established through a partnership with the Central Bank of Armenia. The launch of TUMO Koghb was a long-awaited milestone in this journey. Even though it was revealed just recently, the center already has 300 students. The realization of TUMO Koghb was initiated in collaboration with the Koghb Foundation and was made possible by donors to the TUMO Armenia project, in addition to generous donations from the JHM Foundation, the Mission Enfance humanitarian association, as well as Judith Saryan and Victor Zarougian.

The expansion of the TUMO educational program in the region of Tavush is special for a few reasons. First, the road to implementing the TUMO model in every corner of Armenia began in this region; TUMO Dilijan was the first center to open outside of Yerevan.

Further, it was in Tavush as well that the method of connecting TUMO boxes to centers was first attempted and proven successful. The students of the first TUMO Boxes, which opened in Gavar and Berd in 2020, were the first to engage with their self learning activities in their communities and head to their nearest center, TUMO Dilijan, for their workshops and learning labs.

And finally, Tavush is the first region where graduates of TUMO Academy, another program aimed at securing quality education in the regions, have started teaching. The first group of students that successfully completed the tuition-free program at TUMO Academy have now joined the teams at the TUMO centers in Dilijan and Koghb.

“Establishing all the centers and boxes in the Tavush region holds immense significance for us. TUMO Dilijan led the way as our inaugural regional hub in 2013, while the TUMO box in Berd was the first of its kind in 2020. As this network extends across Armenia, it remains a driving force for empowering youth and sparking significant change within communities,” said TUMO CEO Marie Lou Papazian

Thanks to the interregional network comprised of the Dilijan and Koghb centers along with the boxes connecting to them in Ijevan, Berd, Azatamut, Artsvaberd, Sevan, Gavar, Shnogh, Jambarak, Odzun and soon, Tsovagyugh, there are now not only more educational and job opportunities, but also more social and collaborative connections between youth from different regions.

“TUMO was the beginning of everything for me. The moment I stepped into the Berd TUMO Box and took part in workshops at TUMO Dilijan, my whole outlook on life changed. It made me more independant, responsible, and I’m already seeing the impact of what TUMO has taught me. It’s been two years since I was introduced to graphic design at TUMO, and today, I’m actively working as a graphic designer, handling my own projects and securing orders,” says Nelly, one of the first students of Berd TUMO Box.

Tavush is the second region to be fully covered by the TUMO network; the first was Shirak. Continuing its mission to secure equally available innovative education all throughout Armenia, TUMO plans to complete the eventual network of 16 centers and 110 boxes in 2026. The next region to be covered will be Syunik.

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the donors to the TUMO Armenia campaign and the collaboration with the colleagues, instructors, and supporters who share TUMO’s vision.

The TUMO Center for Creative Technologies is expanding its multi-year initiative to capture detailed 3D scans of hundreds of Armenian heritage sites.

In 2018 and 2019, TUMO students made their first 3D scans of Armenian historical and cultural heritage monuments in a series of special learning labs. They used laser scanning and photogrammetry to document sites including the Matosavank monastery in Dilijan National Park, Amberd Fortress on Mount Aragats, the Dadivank monastery in Karvachar, and Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi. Since then, the number of scanned sites has reached 230, and will now expand to include all of Armenia’s important monuments over the coming years.

St. Hovhannes Church, Sisian

TUMO’s digital preservation initiative includes a large number of important monuments in Artsakh. In the weeks immediately following the 44-Day War in 2020, TUMO teams carried out high-resolution 3D scans of 46 historical monuments in Martuni, Martakert, Askeran and Berdzor. These included archeological sites such as Tigranakert, churches and monasteries such as the Tsitsernavank monastery, and historic monuments such as the Hak bridge. In November of 2022, TUMO scanned over 30 additional heritage sites in Artsakh and on Armenia’s borders.

The resulting high-resolution 3D data sets and visualizations make it possible to document and study cultural monuments in detail, contributing to long term preservation. They also provide material for educational and cultural activities as well as digital media production. Just as importantly, they allow scholars and institutions to monitor cultural heritage sites and eventually carry out preservation and restoration projects as needed.

Holy Savior Poghosagomer, Artsakh

The initiative is now continuing in Armenia at a rapid pace, with multiple sites being scanned every month, both through laser scanning and photogrammetry. It is expected to cover a total of 300 major monuments over the next two to three years. In parallel, the captured data is being processed to produce high-resolution, full-color 3D renderings that users can interact with, walk through, measure, and examine in detail. These interactive renderings, along with historical overviews and other associated data, will be made available on an open-access online platform to be launched in 2024 and continuously updated thereafter.

Process of 3D scanning

“It is very important that this digital archive will be available to the public and that it includes detailed documentation of the sites both in Armenia and Artsakh,” said TUMO CEO Marie Lou Papazian. “This will allow experts in the field to better monitor cultural and historical heritage monuments that are at risk of damage and destruction, and will help them in any future work of restoration and reconstruction.”

TUMO will continue to announce project developments, including updates on the publication of the online platform.

Holy Mother Church, Areni

3D virtual tour of Dashtadem fortress

What do you think of when you hear the word “Boxk?” (boghk is the Armenian word for radish) You probably think “vegetable,” right? You’re probably also wondering what that has to do with the young lad pictured above.

This is 14-year-old Artyom, and “Boghk” is the name of his animation YouTube channel, which he has been running for one year now.

Artyom lives in the city of Ijevan and has been attending TUMO Dilijan for two and a half years. From the age of six, Artyom’s parents had started to notice his interest in creating images.

He would take a piece of paper and colored pencils and start bringing his favorite cartoon characters to life. Once they heard about TUMO, they immediately decided to register Artyom.   

“When I first got to TUMO Dilijan, I had already managed to become familiar with TUMO’s 14 learning areas thanks to the internet. It was still very hard to decide on my selection of 6 learning areas,” Artyom shares.

In two and a half years, Artyom has managed to participate in animation, game development, motion graphics, drawing, music, and programming workshops.​​ At first, he attended the TUMO center in Dilijan (he was one of the first students at the center); for seven months, he has been completing his self-learning exercises at the TUMO Box in Azatamut, and now he studies in Ijevan box and goes to TUMO Dilijan to participate in the many, many workshops that interest him.

“My thoughts always seem to be traveling. Whatever I think up, I try to make it tangible. I’m on the road to turning my dreams into reality. I am focusing my skills and bringing life to my ideas, transforming them into lively and humorous animations. With every animation, I’m not only sharing what I love, but I also try to motivate others into realizing their ideas in this endless digital world,” says Artyom.

Artyom had been following different bloggers on YouTube from the age of six. Attending TUMO brought him to the realization that he wants to have his own channel. He started thinking about the content, the creation of the videos, and the name. Since his animations were humorous, he wanted to think of a funny name for the channel. And that’s how “Boxk” grew. He then contemplated whether he should be making the animations in Russian or English, but he came to the decision that they should be in Armenian.

Artyom edits his animations with Adobe Premiere and After Effects (software that he got familiar with on the web and enriched his understanding of at TUMO). By using the skills he attained at TUMO, Artyom improves the quality of his YouTube channel on daily.

The TUMO experience doesn’t only revolve around the Youtube channel and taking part in workshops. He has decided to advance his skills in the field of animation and eventually teach future animators who will attend TUMO.

Artyom’s favorite animation from his own repertoire (because it was the first he uploaded on his channel):

You can support, follow, and subscribe to Artyom’s channel “Boxk” here: https://www.youtube.com/@boxkanim

With learning lab guest instructor and commercial illustrator Marusha Belle, TUMOians were tasked with creating patterns inspired by Armenian dishes. This AltJuly graphic design lab involved studying color theory, creating sketches, vectorizing, and arranging, a sequence that when combined with the imagination of our students produced some fresh and beautiful mockups.

In this AltJuly learning lab called “The Next Station Is…,” led by 3D modeling expert Meruzh Ghudratyan at TUMO Gyumri, students used Blender to design and animate original metro stations, born entirely from their imaginations.