The students from Öckerö sailing T/S Gunilla visited Seltjarnarnes on August 21, 2022, for a Solander Beach Excursion. The excursion offered many exciting perspectives on natural sciences, Icelandic marine fauna, and sustainable development.
The students got a chance to practice methodology by cataloguing the marine fauna by the beach. Then, with the help of an Icelandic fisherman, the students were further tasked to identify fish species found in the waters around the shore.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development were incorporated into the assignment. In particular, the beach excursion acknowledged goal 14 - Life Below Water - that plea to "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development".
It was a Sunday well spent in the sign of natural science and curiosity, completely in Solander's footsteps. The student's enthusiasm marks a continuation of the work from 250 years ago, and the link to the SDGs carries the heritage of Solander into the future.
T/S Gunilla has a crew of 13. In addition, 40 students sail the vessel as part of their upper secondary school education. During the voyage, the students studied and highlighted the expedition of 1772.
An extensive program was performed in Reykjavik to commemorate both the historical expedition of 1772 and Solander in his capacity as the first Swedish circumnavigator. The students also provided regular updates on their journey across the seas – all in Solander's footsteps and spirit!
This year's visit to Reykjavik only marks the beginning of a two-year collaboration between Öckerö seglande gymnasieskola and the Embassy of Sweden.
