BUP Science and Sail 2024
The BUP’s annual summer school was held in Klaipėda, Lithuania, hosted by Klaipėda University in August 2024. The summer school focused on the Baltic Sea Environment, with students studying on both sea and land with leading experts from across the region. The BUP summer schools offer students the chance to conduct hands-on fieldwork related to issues of sustainability and the ability to take part in a diverse programme, all whilst discovering a new location in the Baltic Sea Region and meeting a new group of peers. A total of 36 students and 3 PhD students from 33 of the BUP participating universities and all 10 countries within the BUP joined the event.
Program
The summer school program consisted of four days of fieldwork based in and around Klaipėda, as well as 3 days at the Klaipeda University campus. The students rotated around these days in smaller groups. Activities included;
- Baltic Sea Hydrology; onboard the tall-ship s/v Brabander, investigating river plumes, water transparency, and depth profiles of water salinity and oxygen.
- Field trip to the Curonian Spit National Park- with guided tours involving studies of both the unique ecosystem of the spit, as well as its cultural heritage.
- Visit to the great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) colony at Lake Plaze, taking part in sample collection and studying the ecological impacts of the bird colony.
- Field trip to the Nemunas’ Delta, visiting several old and new settlements in the river delta and learning of their historical and present significance to the region.
In addition, students also attended lectures, went on specialised site visits to Klaipėda University’s Botanical Garden, took part in a guided tour, gave presentations and worked throughout on various pedagogical tasks within the program.
Objectives
BUP summer schools and Science and Sail in particular, aim at giving students from BUP participating universities the chance to meet, discuss, network, sample and research scientific issues with a focus on sustainability in an international and interdisciplinary manner. This summer school helps to enrich the students’ perspectives about sustainability and the Baltic Sea Region with new experiences and viewpoints. The summer school thus serves as a realisation of regional issues- both challenges and solutions.
Science and Sail had various specific aims:
- Improve the knowledge of students on the Baltic Sea Environment and its importance for the societies and economies of the region.
- Reflect and explore different indicators related to the Baltic Sea Environment.
- Teach students techniques to solve environmental problems from an interdisciplinary and practical approach and link them to climate change.
- Build skills in intercultural and interdisciplinary cooperation.
Participants and organisers gathered after the closing ceremony of the Science and Sail at Klaipeda University. Photo: Pontus Ambros
Evaluation of the event
All participating students were asked to complete an evaluation on the final day of the summer school. This was completed by all 36 of the students. Prior to the event, students held an average expectation of 7.5/10, which shows that the event exceeded their expectations. Particularly praised was the communication with the organising staff, the sailing experience, and meeting other students with such a diversity of academic and cultural backgrounds.
Some of the highest ratings were given to the day on the tall ship Brabander, a 9.2/10 overall rating, and the visit to the Cormorant bird colony, an 8.6/10 overall rating.
Potential improvements
The BUP is always looking to improve our events and therefore welcomes ideas and thoughts that give us the opportunity to improve our work. Of particular note in this regard from Science and Sail include having a more scientific approach to the program, reducing the amount of plastic waste at the event, and that some parts of the event were too short while there were a few times where there was a lot of waiting.
Results of the event
The participating students noted that the event was worthwhile in attending, giving an 8.1/10 rating, resulting in an increased interest in the Baltic Sea Region and its environment.
The students worked in six smaller groups together with their PhD student mentors. They were tasked to summarise their new knowledge and experience and present it to the whole group. Of course, backing their materials scientifically and with good storytelling. Each group created their ow unique presentation which can be found in the links below.
Organiser voice
"The second edition of the summer school concept Science and Sail, turned out to be very fruitful. One of our most important indicators of a successful event, is that a great majority of the students saw the summer school as beneficial for their studies and further careers. Something we as organisers are very pleased to hear. We also found the event to be very successful in terms of the cooperation with our Lithuanian colleagues. Klaipeda University did a fantastic job in hosting the event, with a high level of professionalism and engagement. We are looking forward to build on this successful cooperation."
Participant evaluations
- The students gave the event a 8.7/10 overall rating.
- The students gave the communication with the BUP staff before the event a 9.5/10 rating, and the communication with the BUP staff during the event got a 9.1/10 rating.
All overall ratings were made on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is considered negative and 10 considered positive.
Voices of participants
Līga Irbe Mikosa - Participant from University of Latvia and Riga Technical University
Before attending, I expected to deepen my understanding of the Baltic Sea's environmental challenges while also networking with professionals in related fields. I was hopeful that these connections could lead to future collaborations and opportunities, and I looked forward to engaging with others who share a passion for the environment.
It's a bit of a cliché, but the people truly made the experience special. The guest lecturers, organisers, mentors, and fellow attendees were all incredibly knowledgeable and inspiring. There was a strong sense of community and shared enthusiasm, which made learning and collaboration feel natural and exciting.
I’ve gained valuable insights into sailing and made lasting friendships with people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I was particularly impressed by the diverse range of interdisciplinary backgrounds among the participants, from fine arts to physics, which enriched the discussions and broadened my perspective. These connections and experiences will definitely stay with me moving forward.
Tomasz Czyrski - Participant from Bialystok University of Technology
Before taking part in the BUP Science and Sail I expected to learn just a little bit more about the Baltic Sea and regions around it, and, of course, to have some fun. Both of these expectations were met.
The best part of the BUP Science and Sail was the people, most definitely. An opportunity to associate with young, involved, and caring people was the best part.
From the event I will bring with me a Klaipeda fridge magnet, knowledge, many memories, and just a little bit of grief that it was so short.
Elisa Hyvärinen - Participant from University of Turku
Even before attending the course, I knew that the week would be interesting and fun. In advance, I thought that as a law student, it would be difficult for me to understand all the scientific issues covered, but I was proven wrong. The course was well organised and thanks to that I learned a lot during the week.
The best part of the BUP Science and Sail was to get to know people from all around Europe. I made many friends during the week that I believe will last a lifetime! It was wonderful to be able to sail on the Barbander ship and participate in the other activities of the week, including a marvelous visit to Nida and Curonian Spit. One of the best things was also to get to know the course organisers, who succeeded in making the week memorable!
Going back home, I will take from the course a better knowledge about the Baltic Sea and all the lessons I learned about sustainability. Having talked with other students from different countries, fields, and backgrounds, I gained new perspectives and insights that I would not have encountered otherwise. I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with everyone, and I leave with a renewed commitment to sustainability and a sense of hope for the future of our shared environment.
Images from Science and Sail
Photo: Pontus Ambros
The participants were welcomed by Prof. dr. Artūras Razbadauskas, rector at Klaipeda University.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
PhD student and summer school mentor Julija Kalpokiene from Vytautas Magnus University gave a presentation on the use of AI in research.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
The participants were divided into groups for the workshop "Land-use and sustainability in the Baltic Sea Region". The students were from all over the Baltic Sea Region.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
The participants were on a Nemunas Delta field trip, learning more about the cultural and nature landscapes. Pictured is Prof. Eduardas Spiriajevas, Klaipeda University.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
Another excursion was to the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) colony, studying the diminishing population and how they help us remove invasive species. The guide was Dr. Julius Morkūnas, Klaipeda University.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
Great Cormorants spotted in the wild.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
The students spend time on the tall ship Brabander.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
The participants focused on water sampling, depth profiles and salinity investigations.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
While onboard they also learned more about sailing and team work.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
The students got the opportunity to climb the masts.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
Dr. Mindaugas Brazauskas from Klaipeda University guided the students during the field trip in the Curonian Spit.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
Toward the end of the event the students spend time preparation their final presentation.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
The groups each gave a presentation, some had created videos, others a podcast or a powerpoint presentation.
Photo: Pontus Ambros
Each participating student recieved a diploma from the organising commitee: Maciej and Pontus pictured in the centre, from the BUP, and Ana, to the right, from Klaipeda University.