Improving the quality of higher education requires the continuous and active involvement of students in real research activities that go beyond the scope of traditional teaching. The submitted article focuses on presenting specific examples of integrating students into scientific work through the implementation of partial objectives of grant projects. In this case, the grant projects were aimed at exploring the possibilities of digitizing forensic traces and applying 3D documentation of forensic traces for the purposes of criminalistics and expert activities. The first part of the article introduces the background and professional goals of the projects, as well as the direct connection of project outputs to practical application. The following section highlights the ways in which students were involved in the project – from solving partial project objectives and actively participating in student research and professional activities to writing and defending their final theses. The article also includes reflections from the students themselves, which demonstrate their high level of engagement and the perceived benefits for their academic and professional development. The final part of the article addresses the transformation of research results and student projects into teaching content, thereby supporting a feedback loop between research and pedagogy. The article offers a concrete model for integrating research, education, and student initiatives in a way that results not only in high-quality outcomes but also in a motivated academic environment that fosters creative thinking and expertise.

Keywords: Student, science, research, education, university, projects, forensic sciences, digitization.