11 Dec 2019

IGS research vessel and excursion to the Mekong Delta

To protect our environment, one must understand the interdependence between climate, soil, water, man and nature.
Alexander von Humboldt is one of the most important German naturalists of his time. This year he would have celebrated his 250th birthday. With Humboldt as our role model, we have embarked on our own journey in discovering nature.Our students will be in the Mekong for several days, with the IGS research vessel.

The trip is commencing with the support of the German and Swiss consulates general in HCMC, and was organized together with the tour operator TerraVerde.
On board are the grade 8-10 students (who are from 4 different nations) as well as the teachers, who are specialists in the fields of biology, physics, history, and music.

Humboldt’s spirit marked the first day of the IGS research ship. After class 8 gave the others a brief glimpse into the life of the great explorer, a heated discussion ensued about the fusion of research and business. In his travel report, Milan (class 10) deals with the question of how Humboldt’s motives differed from those of other “discoverers”, such as Marco Polo or Columbus, and how the spirit of the Enlightenment furthers the views of the naturalist Humboldt affected.

In the Age of Enlightenment, it was about questioning doctrines and finding scientific answers. To make observations, to form an opinion without bias, is also the goal of this journey.

The own research gene could then be tested in the afternoon by visiting a local coconut plantation and the workshops prepared for biology and physics.

After the captain dropped anchor at sunset, the day ended with star observations.

The International German School HCMC (IGS) is a German school with a bilingual (German-English) program. Children from 18 nations learn at our school.

Multilingualism and the promotion of scientific thinking, is an important focus for our international school.Many of our students who have acquired German in the lateral entrance program at IGS, are looking forward to studying further in Germany.

Who knows, maybe some of them will one day, as researchers, contribute to the effective protection of our environment.