School for young scientists kicks off on Solovetsky Islands

© Arkhangelsk Region Development AgencyParticipants in the Okoyom school for young scientists
Participants in the Okoyom school for young scientists
From August 22 to September 1, participants in the Okoyom school for young scientists will work on the Solovetsky Archipelago on projects aimed at preserving the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of the Solovetsky Islands, the regional government’s press service reports.
The school is a field-based educational program designed to give young researchers hands-on experience in scientific research and project development. The program includes 12 thematic workshops.
“Participants will conduct research and develop projects covering a wide range of areas, from publishing and scientific volunteering to biotechnology and engineering,” said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, co-chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago.
Under the program, young researchers will monitor the archipelago’s freshwater lakes and surrounding marine waters, develop a concept for eco trails and proposals for improving sections of the coastline, create an information database on the environmental conditions in the village of Solovetsky, and prepare an exhibition featuring a map of the Solovetsky lake and canal system, including information about how it functions and its historical background.
“The participants will also learn about the cultural traditions of the Russian North and develop maps of memorial sites associated with the Solovetsky camp. The results of their research will be shared with the Solovetsky Museum Reserve. They will form the foundation for its research and educational activities and will also be incorporated into the curricula of schools and educational centers in the region,” said Grigory Gurov, Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs.
The research program has brought together 50 young researchers from 12 Russian regions: the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, the Arkhangelsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Zaporozhye, Tver, Novgorod, Tomsk, Smolensk, and Yaroslavl regions, and the Republic of Karelia.
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