Venla and Jesse both did a two-month summer internship, during which they were participating in a range of research activities at the research station, including both field and laboratory work. Eerika on the other hand was working as an intern for the FSDA (Finnish Scientific Diving Academy) supporting scientific diving as well as diving courses.
Venla and Jesse are students in the Bachelor's program in Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki, majoring in Aquatic Sciences. Venla has an interest in macrophytes and benthic animals, while Jesse is interested in fish. This is a summary of their summer internship in their own words:
"Right at the beginning of the training, we got to help set up a mesocosm experiment. We collected over 600 liters (!) of sediment from the seafloor in front of the station – the sediment was needed for planting aquatic plants indoors."
"In May, we had the opportunity to help dismantling ARMS (Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures). Placed on the sea floor, ARMS is like a hotel for marine organisms, a structure where organisms can settle down to live. ARMS is used to monitor biodiversity at sampling sites.
One of our tasks was to assist in a three-spined stickleback study, which monitored the impact of light pollution on fish reproduction and fry development. We measured water values, fed fish, counted eggs, and vacuumed poop."
"We also been monitored ticks in the station area (ticks in the small plastic bag). Several different stations in Finland are involved in this monitoring, with the aim to map the number and distribution of ticks.
We also got to test the operation of a citizen science project for collecting eDNA (environmental DNA). The project included, among other things, sediment and water sampling. In addition to fieldwork, we have also had the opportunity to work in the laboratory. Laboratory tasks included, for example, microscopy of benthic organisms, analysis of organic matter content in sediments, and determination of seawater alkalinity by titration.
Every year, interns carry out a project to monitor the biomass and species composition of benthic organisms at two sampling sites near the station. We were able to plan and implement the project independently from start to finish.
We also assisted in doctoral thesis research focusing on the effects of heatwaves and salinity on aquatic plants. Our task was to count the number of shoots, take chlorophyll and carbohydrate samples, and measure morphological characteristics such as leaf and root length."
“It has been amazing to be part of such a unique environment and learn about marine nature and research in practice", Venla and Jesse conclude their experience as Onni Talas interns at Tvärminne Zoological Station.
Eerika is in her second year of studies in the Master's program of Environmental Change and Global Sustainability at the University of Helsinki. She completed the Occupational Scientific Diving course in 2024 and has spent the end of summer and autumn as an intern for the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy here at Tvärminne Zoological Station. This internship was funded by the Onni Talas Foundation.
“During my internship, I had the opportunity to assist our excellent instructors, Edd, Erik, and Anni, in running both the Foundations and Occupational Scientific Diver (OSD) programs, both above and below the surface. I also had the chance to captain the boats for the courses (and drive the beautiful r/v Esox a lot, which was such an upgrade).
It was awesome to share some tips and tricks with the students, but also to learn so much from them. The range of expertise and diving experience people bring to these courses is incredible. You guys rock!
Beyond teaching and driving boats, I also joined several research projects at the station that required scientific divers. From taking syringe core samples for eDNA to filming for 3D photogrammetry for long-term monitoring, each dive helped me grow my skills and confidence underwater.
I can’t recommend this internship enough for anyone who’s completed the OSD course. It’s full of long days, hard work, and unforgettable experiences. Totally worth it!”
Each year, the station offers a range of different internships. For more information, please see: