To fully implement national strategies for ecological civilization construction as well as disaster prevention and mitigation, and enhance meteorology students' knowledge reserve, professional quality and practical capabilities in the new era, the 3rd National Joint Field Internship and Scientific Expedition for Undergraduates in Atmospheric Sciences, co hosted by the Chinese Meteorological Society and Lanzhou University, was held from July 13 to 18. Stretching across Gansu and Qinghai Provinces and traversing the Qilian Mountains, this event focused on key topics including weather climate characteristics around the Qinghai Xizang Plateau and ecological conservation of the Qilian Mountains. A total of 156 teachers and students from eight universities took part, namely Lanzhou University, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Civil Aviation University of China, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Shenyang Agricultural University, Guangdong Ocean University and Wuxi University.
Departure Ceremony
On the morning of July 13, the internship team held a departure ceremony at the Alumni Square of Lanzhou University. Afterwards, the group headed for meteorological operational institutions and field observatories in Gansu Meteorological Bureau, Wuwei, Zhangye, Menyuan, Haibei and other locations to carry out field observations and professional exchanges. At Wuwei National Basic Meteorological Station, students measured key meteorological elements using portable meteorological instruments and held professional seminars with the Wuwei Meteorological Bureau. The team then visited the Babusha “Two Mountains” Practice and Innovation Base, where participants learned the touching story of the “Six Old Men” who fought desertification and planted trees over four decades. Red themed educational activities including revisiting the Party oath ceremony were organized on site, which further strengthened participants' ideals and convictions and passed on the hard working desert combating spirit. At Zhangye Meteorological Bureau, students gained in depth insights into radar data processing workflows, took part in radiosonde balloon launching experiments, and visited the 100 meter near surface layer flux observation tower, developing a more comprehensive and thorough understanding of modern meteorological observation systems. At Menyuan Hui Autonomous County Meteorological Bureau, students learned about grassroots meteorological operations, studied operational workflows and safety specifications for anti hail artillery, and conducted underlying surface observation experiments. In Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, participants toured a forage experimental station to explore feasible pathways for meteorological services to support plateau characteristic agriculture and animal husbandry. They also visited the Atomic City Memorial Hall to recall the great spirit of the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” pioneers who dedicated themselves to the nation.
Internship and scientific expedition scenes
During the activity, Lanzhou University formally signed teaching internship base agreements with meteorological bureaus of Wuwei City, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Menyuan Hui Autonomous County. The agreements stipulate joint construction of practical training and scientific research platforms covering plateau meteorological observation, disaster early warning and climate change adaptation, together with collaborative research on operational projects and two way personnel exchanges. These actions deepen university local collaborative talent cultivation, provide front line practical training posts for students, bring scientific research support to grassroots meteorological departments, realize precise alignment between talent training and industrial demands, and further expand space for plateau meteorology talent development and scientific research cooperation.
Signing and plaque unveiling ceremonies for teaching internship base agreements
On the morning of July 18, the closing summary meeting was convened in Xining. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the whole scientific expedition process, showcased phased outcomes obtained throughout the internship, and commended outstanding supervising teachers and students for their excellent performance in field observation, teamwork and report writing.
Award giving ceremony
This six day scientific expedition covered Lanzhou, Wuwei, Zhangye, Menyuan, Haibei and other sites. Participants visited meteorological operational institutions at provincial, municipal and county levels as well as field observatories. The program integrated field observation, professional exchange, science technology experience and ideological spiritual education. The activity bridged “the last mile” between theoretical teaching and practical application. Young students honed their practical skills in real world tasks, deepened mutual understanding through teamwork, and inspired innovative thinking via exchanges. It further consolidated young people's shared commitment to building a powerful meteorological nation.
Group photos taken during the internship
Edited by: Zhai Minhan
