Växjö pupils spend the summer working as researchers
Among microscopes, soil mixed with coffee grounds, and young pine trees, we find four upper secondary school pupils who have been given the chance to spend part of their summer working as researchers. It is Linnaeus Summer Research School that has made it possible for Mobina, Carla, Anton and Alva to dedicate two weeks of their summer holidays to working alongside a researcher from Linnaeus University.
The first few days were spent on an excursion doing fieldwork in the forest, where they attended lectures and collected samples and materials for the research. Annette Eilert, one of the researchers, describes the days with the pupils as both educational and inspiring.
“Meeting such incredibly curious, enthusiastic and intelligent young people is great fun! They ask many good questions that really make you think, and these days have given me so much energy,” says Eilert, whose research focuses on forest health with an emphasis on pine.
In addition to the fieldwork and excursion, the pupils have also spent time on site at Linnaeus University, mainly in the laboratory. On campus, they have, among other things, helped to plant pine seedlings and examined different leaves under the microscope.
“We have been able to try many different things during these weeks. The work of a researcher is very varied – one day you are out in the field, the next you are in the office or the lab. Before, I had no idea it was such a varied job. For me, the lab has been the best part,” says Carla, who is in her second year of the natural sciences programme at Katedralskolan.
Mobina, who is in her second year of the natural sciences programme at Procivitas, says that the best part has been seeing what the work of a researcher looks like in practice.
I was surprised at how broad the field is, and how many different research areas there are just within the forestry and timber industry. We’ll see – maybe I’ll want to work as a researcher in the future.
This year, forestry research is the focus of the summer research school, but the aim is to offer the same opportunity next year, with a broader research scope covering the entire field of technology.
I really hope this is something we can continue to offer in the future. It’s important, because more people need to become aware of how research and universities can contribute to society,” Eilert emphasises.
Through the summer research school, Eilert hopes to inspire young people to take an interest in the forest, the climate, and how research can help our planet.
For Karolina Pehrson, it was an easy decision to get involved in the summer research school. To those considering becoming researchers, she simply says:
Do it – as a researcher you get to explore your own curiosity and drive, and it’s great fun!
Linnaeus Summer Research School
The purpose of the summer research school is to give curious young people an introduction to technical and scientific research. The initiative is made possible through funding from the Seydlitz MP Bolagen Foundation.
Learn more about the Linnaeus Summer Research School:
