On June 14, 2024, a geography advanced course from Wenden visited us for the fourth activity. After a brief introduction to the virtual glacier world using VR glasses and an examination of topographic maps of the glaciers along with 3D-printed models, the students tried out essential glacier equipment. They practiced attaching a Prusik knot to a guide rope to simulate rescuing themselves from a crevasse.
The session also bridged to chemistry through the plant Saxifraga punificata, which releases bubbles when hydrochloric acid is applied to its lime glands, demonstrating a typical reaction with limestone. To conclude, students conducted a model experiment to investigate how carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, can be absorbed by rocks. This experiment introduced them to carbon capture and storage (CCS) methods, currently being discussed by climate researchers and engineers to reduce atmospheric carbondioxide levels.
