When the North Pole becomes a classroom

In a once-in-a-lifetime journey, 68 students aged 14 to 16 embarked on a 10-day expedition aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker "50 Let Pobedy" to explore the North Pole. The participants, from various countries, were chosen through an international science competition. For Tanzanian student Xyleen Mapunda, this trip was her first overseas adventure, as she stood on the Arctic ice and held her country's flag.

Indonesian student Galen Athayam Rinaldi Putra, 16, found the journey especially meaningful as it coincided with Indonesia's independence celebration. The expedition aimed to combine scientific learning with practical experiences in one of the world's most remote regions. Students conducted experiments, including launching a radiosonde for communications and testing a returnable stratospheric platform for environmental monitoring.

They also had the opportunity to explore the icebreaker, learn about Arctic shipping, and observe polar bears. Mina Semele Masoga, a science teacher from Pretoria, South Africa, hoped the experience would leave a lasting impact on the young participants, inspiring them to share their newfound knowledge and experiences with their peers.