Completion of the 4th Summer School of Physical Sciences in Nisyros

The 4th Nisyros Summer School concluded with great success on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The School was held from June 1 to 8 in the historic and renovated building of the Old Primary School of Emporeios, which has been graciously granted by the Municipality of Nisyros for educational purposes.
The event was organized as part of the educational activities of the Nisyros Geopark by the Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). It was held under the auspices of the Municipality of Nisyros, the Nisyros Geopark Management Body, and the Municipal Public Benefit Enterprise of Nisyros, which consistently support scientific and educational initiatives that highlight the island’s natural, cultural, and geological wealth. Distinguished scientists and researchers from Greece and abroad participated in the School.

A leading Summer School in the Aegean and Mediterranean region

Now considered a well-established institution within the scientific community, the Nisyros Summer School provides a unique platform for education, research, and knowledge exchange among students, young researchers, and renowned scientists. Nisyros, with its extraordinary geological character, active volcano, and distinctive socio-ecological identity, serves as an open-air laboratory for natural sciences.
This year’s program hosted 20 postgraduate students and early-career researchers from Greece, France, Romania, and China, who engaged in a combination of lectures, fieldwork, and hands-on training across the island. Topics included:

Microclimatic analysis of traditional settlements
Volcanic landscape mapping
Historical reconstruction of volcanic activity
Geological and climate-related hazards
Air quality and pollution assessments
Sustainable water management and smart agriculture
Artificial intelligence applications in environmental studies
Predictive models for wildfire behavior
Use of emerging technologies such as drones and environmental sensors
A key contribution came from the scientific coordinator of the Nisyros Geopark and geo-scientist, who led guided geological tours and delivered educational lectures about the island’s volcanic system and the Geopark’s scientific and environmental significance—enriching the experience by connecting theoretical knowledge with the local geological heritage.
Participants had the opportunity to carry out:
• Micro-bioclimate measurements in Nisyros villages
• Geological observations of volcanic and tectonic formations (e.g., Paleokastro, Hohlakoi beach)
• Dendrochronology for paleoclimate reconstruction
• Air quality and gas emission monitoring in the caldera
• AI-based modeling in geosciences
• Drone-based orthophoto mapping of the “Stefanos,” “Mikros Polyvotis,” and “Megalos Polyvotis” craters
• Hands-on training in sustainable water practices and disaster prevention
• Simulation of wildfire behavior forecasting methods
Connecting Science with the Local Community

A highlight of the School was its engagement with the local community. A public outreach event was held outside the Town Hall, presenting the prospect of Nisyros joining the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. This sparked dialogue around the multiple benefits—educational, developmental, and environmental—of such an inclusion.

Looking Ahead
The Summer School concluded with student presentations and the awarding of certificates of participation, marking a celebration of science, collaboration, and inspiration. Both instructors and participants left Nisyros enriched—not only with academic knowledge and practical skills but also with deep appreciation for the island’s natural beauty, geological heritage, and vibrant community.
The organizing team, led by Professor Panagiotis Nastos, Director of the Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment (NKUA), expressed their warmest thanks:
-to Professor Christofis Koronaios, Mayor of Nisyros
-to Mr. Evangelos Tasioulas, President of the Board of the Municipal Public Benefit Enterprise & Management Body of the Nisyros Geopark
-to the residents of Nisyros for their heartfelt hospitality
and to all the scientists and collaborators who transformed the island into a living classroom of applied knowledge and academic excellence.

Planning for the 5th Nisyros Summer School is already underway, aiming to continue bridging theory with practice, science with society, and the local with the global.