It is best to study the geography of your native country during a research expedition. Photo provided by the expedition members
A set of routes and field research methods that can be used by schoolteachers during educational trips to the regions of Russia will be the result of the work of the «Baikal-2025» summer expedition of Moscow schoolchildren. It was held in July 2025 in the Republic of Buryatia and the Irkutsk Region with the grant support of the Russian Geographical Society.
The organizer was the Vernadsky School No. 1553 in Moscow in cooperation with the interregional public movement of creative educators «Issledovatel» (eng. «Researcher»). The event was a continuation of the long-term program of comprehensive research expeditions implemented by the schools in the Arkhangelsk Region and Karelia, in Altai and the Urals, and in other regions of our country.
Baikal itself is a unique natural and cultural site. In addition, the Baikal region has a high educational potential. There are a number of scientific institutions and specially protected natural areas that implement pilot educational programs for schoolchildren. The research and educational aspects of the educational trips to Lake Baikal allow you to become more deeply involved in the natural and cultural heritage of the region.
Schoolchildren and teachers at the gates of the Baikal Nature Reserve. Photo provided by the expedition members
The current expedition consisted of seven thematic groups: «Biogeochemistry», «Comprehensive Study of Villages», «History. Restoration», «Socio-Cultural Psychology and Anthropology», «Natural Sciences», «Geography», and «Geology». The students, under the guidance of experienced teachers, learned how to collect scientifically significant material and how to analyze it.
The final of the RGS’s All-Russian tourist and local history competition «The Best Travel Mentor» was held as part of the expedition. Nine finalists from Moscow, Novosibirsk, Kurgan Regions, the Republic of Udmurtia, Murmansk Region, Krasnodar Territory competed in the categories «Multi-Day Trip», «One-Day Trip», «Field Camp».
The project partners were the RAS Commission for the Study of the Heritage of Outstanding Scientists, the Moscow Society of Naturalists, Russian Railways Lyceum No. 9, Baikal State Natural Biosphere Reserve, Dorzhi Banzarov Buryat State University, Baikal Innovation Center, Secondary School No. 7 in the village of Kultuk.