Laboratory

The goal of the project: to highlight the importance of vegetation to humanity through innovative solutions based on educational content and natural science simulations.
Project objectives to achieve the goal:
- to promote active interest among students in environmental protection processes;
- to form habits of personal responsibility towards living nature;
- to popularize natural sciences, especially various branches of biology;
- to ensure that students link their future careers with natural sciences.
Relevance of the project:
The plant simulation research laboratory established in the Aukštaitija National Park will invite students to learn natural sciences through experience outside of school. By meeting scientists, getting acquainted with future professions, and solving real-life tasks, students will develop a personal relationship with nature and the world around us. In the plant research laboratory, through innovative educational programs prepared together with natural and exact science teachers, students will practically apply the acquired knowledge:
- will learn about vegetation from the past - delving deeper into the knowledge of rare species in evolutionary biology,
conservation;
- will explore the present - combining knowledge from interdisciplinary natural sciences;
- will test the possibilities of future sciences - by getting acquainted with the science of astrobiology;
Project partners:
VU scientists - biologists, astrobiologists;
Teachers (biology, chemistry, physics, IT);
Robotics specialists;
Brief project description:
A glass plant research laboratory is being established in Aukštaitija National Park, where experimental simulations of remote plant planting and observation on the lunar surface, excursions, education, meetings, conferences and seminars will be held.
Plant growth simulation stages according to the development process:
- Presentation of knowledge relevant to the simulation and in accordance with the content of educational programs (biology, chemistry, physics), introduction to the topic;
- Mission to the moon using video game simulation (physics, mathematics, astronomy), a challenge for teams;
- Planting a plant in artificial regolith with the help of a robot (biology, IT/robotics), experimental process;
- Long-term remote monitoring of the plant and monitoring/recording of changes, formation of responsibilities and consistent practices;
- Presentation of analysis of processed plant observation data, development of critical thinking;
- Transferring the plant to the class that participated in the experiment, creating long-term/sustainable relationships;

MOON LABORATORY - a unique lunar laboratory, located in an oval-shaped building-dome. It is an autonomously heated plant growing laboratory, designed for the educational and scientific needs of society, to study biodiversity and future science. The laboratory will be used for various scientific experiments, plant growing in a simulated lunar environment, in order to find out what the minimum conditions for plant growth are, for the preservation and research of rare plant species, local biotope. The space will also be adapted for conferences, various group activities, and educational experimental workshops.
The laboratory consists of:
- art installation of the lunar surface;
- plant planting sites with artificial regolith;
- a robotic arm that plants plants (with seed picking and plant planting functions);
- trajectory of movement of the robotic arm along the rail;
- special lighting for plants;
- plant monitoring webcams and their movement mechanism;
- place for seeds;
- adjustable electric heating;
- remote sensors (temperature, humidity, lighting);
- robotic arm control panel (computer programs with the necessary functions);
Students in grades 8-9, who are still planning to choose their academic subjects and profession, are participating in the remote plant planting and observation experiments at the Lunar Laboratory.
The goal of these experiments is to create real conditions for students to discover the spectrum of possibilities of natural sciences through personal experience, try out the profession of a scientist, learn about local and
global environmental challenges and consciously take responsibility for what the world of the future will be like.
The entire class participates in the artificial regolith for planting the plant:
- First stage: the class acquires knowledge in an integrated experiential lecture on natural and exact sciences.
- Second stage: the class is divided into teams, where, acting in different roles, students must overcome the challenge of a computer simulation of a rocket launch and landing on the lunar surface.
- Third stage: the winning team has the opportunity to remotely control a robotic arm that plants a class plant in artificial regolith.
- Fourth stage: the class receives the number of its plant and instructions on how to monitor it and collect information remotely. The processes of monitoring and data analysis can be integrated into the content of educational subjects. Students will be invited to share the collected, summarized material at a conference.
- Fifth stage: the class can choose whether to take the plant and continue growing it in their school, or contribute to the development of the plant exposition of the Aukštaitija National Park.

RESEARCH SPACE - located in an oval-shaped building-dome, the place is intended for knowledge, experiments, lectures and education. The research space consists of:
- transformable modular tables and chairs;
- main desktop computer;
- tablets;
- interactive whiteboard;
- microscopes;
- various materials for experimental research;
- tools for education and experiments.
This space hosts integrated lessons, various educations, experimental research, seminars, meetings and conferences. By transforming modular furniture, it is possible to create different spaces for different needs. The space is adapted to meet the needs of different age groups.
Research space activities created during the project:
- Education on different natural topics through various formal education tasks (for students in grades 1-4 and 5-8);
- Thematic - scientific education using various technologies: tablets, microscopes, microgravity mechanisms, conducting various experiments (for students in grades 9 - 12);
- Specialized attractive educational - thematic excursions for the general public, aimed at:
* get to know the Aukštaitija National Park;
* reveal the context of historical plants;
* to raise the issue of endangered plant species;
- Experiential meetings with natural scientists from various fields, aimed at getting acquainted with the latest scientific achievements, discoveries, and environmental problems and challenges;
- Thematic seminars by scientists open to the public/senior schoolchildren, designed to present different biology topics and interdisciplinary connections: neurobiology, plant evolution, the benefits of plants to humans, different biomes, the formation and disappearance of subcultures, ecology, biochemistry, biophysics, astrobiology, etc.
- A scientific conference designed for students and scientists to share their experiences and create a tradition of dialogue-based meetings between society and scientists;