Our weekend program consisted of three build-upon modules. We continued to explore the scientific background of global warming, moved forward with the project work based on the Maker’s Red Box framing narrative, and pursued our leaf pigment study, started last time, in the nature explorer session.
Global Warming – Theoretical Module
In the first part of the weekend project, we further examined the scientific background of global warming. This time, we investigated how humanity came to recognize the process of global warming and how theoretical results, measurements, and observations from the past nearly two hundred years came together into the scientific picture we know today.
During the class, we traced the key milestones in recognizing global warming and examined how theoretical findings, instrumental measurements, and natural observations complemented one another. One of the most important messages of the curriculum was that our current knowledge does not stem from a single discovery, but was assembled from nearly two hundred years of scientific achievements.
In the second half of the session, we reached contemporary climate research. Through the current scientific dilemmas of climate researchers, we reflected on how best to make decisions when the exact extent of a threat is not yet known, but we already know it can have severe and hard-to-reverse consequences.
The theoretical session was made more varied by Gergő Nemoda’s interactive game and Olivér Sashegyi’s Kahoot quiz. With their help, participants could review and test their acquired knowledge in a playful manner.
Anna Pajor-Vincze, junior mentor
Maker’s Red Box – Global Warning
Within the framework of our complex The Maker’s Red Box development program, in our topic Global warning – Climate expedition around the Earth, participants immersed themselves in our new framing narrative during our two-day sessions, and we explored the subject of global warming from multiple perspectives. We began preparing the blueprints for a long-range research vehicle, the first steps of which included creating a laser-cut world map for our route. We watched presentations on climate change and potential solutions, brainstormed about our research project, and got to know potential expedition members in connection with good practices in climate protection. In our upcoming sessions, we will complement our topic with the design of an observation cabin and research ecological issues in various parts of the world.
István Vidákovics, mentor
Nature Explorer – Leaf Pigment Study Continued
In the third part of the weekend, we continued the nature explorer program started last time. This time we visited the banks of the Tisza, where we collected poplar and willow leaves for our further investigations. Using leaves in various states, we aim to observe how leaf pigments change during autumn yellowing and browning.
We perform chromatographic tests on the collected samples. This method allows us to separate and compare the different pigments present in the leaves. In our tests, we primarily compare the positions and intensities of the green and yellow pigment bands.
We documented the chromatograms and then began analyzing the recordings made of them using the Fiji image processing program. Digital analysis allows us to compare the pigment bands appearing on the different leaf samples. Importantly, with this method, we do not determine the exact chlorophyll concentration of the leaves, but rather investigate the differences between samples prepared under identical conditions.
During the session, participants could follow the process of a scientific investigation from field sample collection through the chromatographic experiment all the way to digital image processing and the comparison of results. Thus, we could observe not only how the color of leaves changes in autumn, but also experience step-by-step how an everyday natural phenomenon can be investigated using scientific methods. Next time, we will continue our work by analyzing the recorded measurement data and comparing the results.
Péter Mikics, mentor
