Every summer, a group of students of the master degree course "Environmental Technology" goes to a study trip to the Lower Oder Valley National Park [2] near Schwedt. During this one week trip to the Wildnisschule Teerofenbrücke [3], students broaden their knowledge of microbiology gained from previously attended lessons.

The main focus of the study trip is on microscopy of complex environmental samples. Special interest is on iron bacteria, sulfur bacteria and cyanobacteria as well as eukaryotic organisms, because they are easy to group due to their morphological characteristics. Basic conclusions can be made just with microscopic examinations and simple microbiological methods such as the enrichment of bacteria in Winogradski columns.  The occurrence of characteristic groups of organisms allows conclusions about matter cycles in the sampled surface water without much effort. To get a comprehensive view of the floodplains their flora and fauna is included into the examination too.

Prior to the trip, students give presentations as an introduction to the different focused topics. The interpretation of the results is carried out by the students in the form of protocols or posters according to the given task. The findings are used in current research projects and can be compared with the results of former study trips.

Accommodation of the participants is in the Wildnisschule Teerofenbrücke which offers a lab and lecture room as well as bicycles, table tennis tables, BBQ and campfire area for evening diversion.