Sustainability competence

The water backpack method deepens the relationship grade 3 pupils have with nature and encourages the observation of water bodies.

The City of Hämeenlinna wants to strengthen children’s opportunities to learn in natural environments. Through the water backpack activities, children are given the chance to participate in monitoring the well-being of aquatic nature.

Created by the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), the water backpack has been adapted into an inspiring expedition for grade 3 pupils in Hämeenlinna. During the water-themed excursion, pupils get to study the quality of nearby waters.

Every school is provided with a water backpack (vesireppu) and its own research point on the shore of a local water body. The pupils’ research results are recorded in the Järvi-meriwiki (Lake and Sea Wiki) as part of a longer research series to assist the work of experts. This operating model is known as citizen science.

Hämeenlinna’s water backpack activities have been developed in cooperation with the Vanajavesi Centre, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) Bioeconomy and Natural Resources departments, and the Hämeenlinna Rotary Clubs.

The plastic bag research aimed at grade 5 pupils investigates small-scale plastic litter on the shores of Hämeenlinna’s water bodies and encourages pupils to make a difference through individual and collective actions.

How is human activity visible on the shores, and what does meso-sized plastic look like?

The City of Hämeenlinna is committed to teaching green values by bringing high-quality and inspiring environmental content to school education. In 2025, the plastic bag model was piloted in schools. The plastic bag model continues the water backpack research started by grade 3 pupils and complements the environmental education for grade 5 pupils in Hämeenlinna.

Plastic bag– towards plastic-free water bodies

Hämeenlinna’s plastic bag research is based on equipment developed by the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Tampere University, and the Guides and Scouts of Finland. The operating model has been designed in cooperation with the Vanajavesi Centre and Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK).

Plastic bag is a school-based expedition to a water body near the school. It lasts for two lessons. Two different studies are conducted on the nearby shore: sifting for microplastics and observing and cleaning up litter in the coastal environment. The observation sites are the same as in the water backpack studies, and the results are uploaded to the Järvi-meriwiki (Lake and Sea Wiki) in the same way.

Each school has its own plastic bag, a sailor’s bag containing instructions and equipment for studying litter. A location has been marked for each school where pupils can go on a research trip with their teacher. The research results are recorded in the Järvi-meriwiki (Lake and Sea Wiki): this way, the pupils’ participation becomes an important part of Finnish water quality research. This method of working is called citizen science.

Project background

The ‘Littering and Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment’ learning module was produced as part of the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE’s EDUWATER project. The studies were developed for scouts and school children in the SPARKA project by SYKE, the Guides and Scouts of Finland, and Tampere University.