Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
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Moscow is opening up opportunities for schoolchildren and students to have the most exciting holidays. This summer, the kids were able to spend their time at master classes in drawing and dancing, on the rollerdrome, climbing wall and artificial waveFor travel lovers, we organized trips to the Caucasus, Altai, Yamal and in Murmansk region. And the bravest went even further, to the Taimyr Peninsula, on the fifth Great Arctic Expedition, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. For almost 10 days, teenagers conducted scientific research and restored a memorial to polar explorers off the coast of the Arctic Ocean.
"We are developing extracurricular programs for young Muscovites, paying special attention to active school tourism. A striking example is the Great Arctic Expedition, which was held for the fifth time. Before the trip, the children underwent multi-stage preparation: from the Arctic Dictation and adventure games to training camps in Karelia. During the expedition, they explored the flora and fauna of the Laptev Sea coast, completely restored one stele of the memorial complex to Soviet polar explorers, and collected material from the rest, which they will later study and develop a plan for the final reconstruction. In total, the young travelers covered more than 100 kilometers. In addition, the expedition group ran the world's first marathon along Cape Chelyuskin in a relay format," noted
Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.
We tell you how young Muscovites explored the Arctic and what impressions the Far North left on them.
Serious preparation and great opportunities
The expedition to the Arctic took place from August 9 to 17 this year. It involved 14 schoolchildren and students from Moscow colleges. The children were accompanied by experienced instructors and mentors. The expedition was led by Matvey Shparo, a polar explorer, holder of the Orders of Courage and Friendship, and the first person to reach the North Pole on skis during the polar night (along with traveler Boris Smolin).
"The Great Arctic Expedition is a clear example of how even the wildest dreams can come true. It allows schoolchildren and students to expand their horizons, become more independent and feel like real heroes, who are described in books about the most incredible journeys. In order to understand who is ready to become a participant in the expedition, we conduct a selection. This year, more than 10 thousand people applied to participate," says Matvey Shparo.
The selection of future travelers was carried out in several stages. First, the children wrote the Arctic Dictation and competed in an adventure race, where they set up tents, tied knots and worked with camping equipment. Then the students competed in professional skills competitions, and schoolchildren developed and presented scientific projects.
"The final stage was a training camp in Karelia. By that time, we had already selected 40 of the most talented guys. They lived in tents for seven days and covered a 60-kilometer route. The teenagers honed their skills in orienteering and teamwork. Following the training, 14 students and schoolchildren made it to the finals. They became participants in the Great Arctic Expedition," notes Matvey Shparo.
Having packed thermal underwear, down jackets and rubber boots into their bags, the boys set off with their mentors. A plane from Moscow brought them to Norilsk, from where they reached the village of Khatanga. Here the teenagers split into two teams: "History Keepers" and "Arctic Explorers". The first team flew to Cape Chelyuskin, the northernmost point of Eurasia, and the second team set off on a walking route along the coast of the Laptev Sea.
Wild Animal Tracks and an Unnamed Lake
Having set foot on the cool soil, the guys from the "Arctic Explorers" squad immediately realized that they were truly lucky. They came on the expedition to study the flora and fauna of the harsh region and ended up in the Arctic summer.
"It turned out to be warm in the Arctic — up to plus 10 degrees. I learned about the opportunity to go to Taimyr from a friend who went on the Great Arctic Expedition last year. He told me how interesting it was, but, of course, cold. That's what I was preparing for. I took warm boots, knitted socks and gloves, and there was no snow or ice," says a participant in the expedition, a 10th-grade student.
School No. 57Mikhail Krasavin.
He has been to the northern regions more than once. Together with his family, Mikhail regularly goes on hikes to Karelia and the Kola Peninsula.
“Thanks to my parents, I have known how to pitch a tent and make a fire since childhood. But the expedition is not just a hike, but a real study. We went to Cape Pronchishchev to collect scientific samples for leading Russian institutes. We were pioneers on a route where no man had set foot before. The team was accompanied by leaders – people with incredible knowledge and wisdom. With their help, I learned a lot. For the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, I studied the fauna of mammals – I found and identified animal tracks. For example, I saw tracks of polar bears, wolves, reindeer, lemmings and weasels. We also took moss samples. In addition, along the way we found a lake that was not on the map. Now we are planning to give it a name,” says Mikhail Krasavin.
During their journey through the Far North, the "Arctic Explorers" walked more than 100 kilometers across the tundra and took 113 samples of moss, lichen, water, and air. In addition to warm clothing, the guys took sleeping bags, blankets, and roomy tents with them.
"In the evening we stopped for the night. Since it was the polar day and the sun did not set, an indispensable item after a sleeping bag and a tent was a sleeping mask. After waking up, we had breakfast and set off. We walked along lichens and scree – a scattering of stones of different sizes. It was very beautiful, so I took photos. In addition to the photos as a souvenir, I also took a branch of cetraria, or Icelandic moss, from the Far North – a lichen from which local people once made tea," emphasized Mikhail Krasavin.
The Northernmost Run and Cakes at the End of the World
While the young researchers were studying the flora and fauna of the north, members of the “Keepers of History” squad were restoring the stele in honor of Soviet polar explorers at Cape Chelyuskin, one of the northernmost memorial complexes in the world. Among the volunteer restorers was 17-year-old Ekaterina Egorshina, a third-year student College of Architecture, Design and Reengineering No. 26("26 KADR"), specializing in "environmental designer".
"The Great Arctic Expedition gave me incredible experience, strength and self-confidence. Already at the selection stage, I had to present a project for restoring the stele, calculating how much time and materials it would take, and then demonstrate my skills in grinding and painting. When I was chosen, I was incredibly happy. I tried to put in maximum effort during the expedition. The work on the monument was painstaking. First, we made the foundation, then cleared, primed, puttied and painted the stele. The paint was wear-resistant and resistant to frost and wind. Under the guidance of mentors, using a grinder and a welding machine, we installed the fence. We worked in warm clothes and gloves," says Ekaterina Egorshina.
In the Arctic, the guys not only restored the memorial, but also set records. On the last day of the expedition, they organized the northernmost marathon in Eurasia – the Arctic Challenge relay race.
"I love trails — cross-country runs. Once, I ran 50 kilometers with my dad through the Caucasus Nature Reserve. Before the trip here, I suggested holding a race in Taimyr. The organizers supported the idea. The event turned out to be atmospheric. We ran, chatted and admired nature. The clouds parted and the sun came out, leaving us with the warmest memories for the end. And one day we swam in the Laptev Sea. That was also unforgettable," says Ekaterina Egorshina.
The trip to the north was also a highlight in the life of another member of the “Keepers of History” squad, a 19-year-old third-year student food college № 33 Ekaterina Gulid.
"I am studying to be a technologist and was responsible for food during the expedition. We lived next to the weather station, we had water and electricity: the oven and stove worked. Before the trip, we made a menu and calculated the required amount of products. I cooked soups, pilaf, navy-style pasta, Caesar salad and even Potato cakes. And one day we had northern shawarma for breakfast. The ingredients are the same as in the usual one. It is just made in the north," notes Ekaterina Gulid.
The girl is sure that the memories of the Arctic will stay with her for the rest of her life. Here she found new friends and was convinced that she had chosen the right profession.
"This is an incredible project. It gives you the opportunity to go on an unforgettable journey, test yourself, become more confident and brave, be closer to nature. For example, we saw a polar bear with a cub. They were standing at a safe distance, but you could still see them. The emotions from such a meeting cannot be expressed in words. Now I dream of going to Antarctica to see the penguins," says Ekaterina Gulid.
Moscow schoolchildren and college students restored a memorial in the ArcticMoscow schoolchildren and college students set a record by running a marathon in the ArcticParticipants of the Great Arctic Expedition met with guests of the Moscow 2030 forum at Gostiny Dvor
The Great Arctic Expedition is a unique project of the capital Department of Education and Science, in which a team of schoolchildren and students from Moscow colleges goes to the Far North. You can find out more about additional education in the capital in the Telegram channels "Moscow education" And "Moscow Center for Educational Practices".
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