Shadow day 2023
On April 5th, 2023, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry welcomed 25 pupils from 5th to 12th grade to introduce them to the work of chemists, chemical engineers, chemical technologists, and the director of the institute. Two pupils, Ričards (8th grade) and Ritvars (6th grade) were shadows for PhD Edgars Kuka who took them through a journey of a researcher’s working day in Laboratory of Wood Biodegradation and Protection. Ričards and Ritvars acquired insights of colour formation, wood discolouration, microstructure of wood, development of microorganisms on wood surface, waste recycling and reuse, wood plastic composites, and microplastics. In the context of microorganism development, we examined the surface of wood specimens coated with linseed oil based formulations, which are being developed within the WOOD for HEALTH project. The pupils were informed about the microorganisms and why it is important to prevent their development during service life of wood products (e.g. in healthcare buildings). It was a pleasure to have such enthusiastic and wise shadows in the institute, who have the potential to pursue their future activities in the fields of chemistry, physics and material science and eventually make a successful carrier.
Ričards (on
the left) and Ritvars (on the right) examining microorganisms on coated and
uncoated wood surfaces