About the Projects

Both SPAM classes (immersion of physics and application of mathematics) of the KSWE are beginning a rather unusual exchange program with Japan. During the autumn holidays, 30 Students will be travelling to Tokyo to work on scientific projects together with 30 other Japanese students. The exchange began with a coincidental meeting with the director of Tokyo’s university, who expressed his wish for a closer collaboration with Switzerland. With help from the swiss exchange program Movetia our idea became reality: Movetia offers financial support to class- and school exchanges provided they perform projects with a partnered school. As our partner we were able to gain the renowned Tsukokoma High School in Tokyo, known for its strong scientific education. Our joint framework topic is: “Exploring the boundaries of mathematics and natural science: Advanced modelling and calculations”.

CO2 emissions: a serious issue

Soon the question surfaced: How can we compensate for the emissions caused by flights? Research was able to demonstrate two possibilities for compensation, but also contradictory statements regarding its efficiency and costs. This is how the project environment came into being: Our classes are researching how flight emissions can truly be compensated. They compare different models, develop calculations and are developing specific measures that schools can use to offset their travel in a sustainable manner. This includes two additional working days on which all SPAM students themselves contribute to the compensation. Movetia was enthusiastic about this idea and is supporting the exchange with around CHF 1,500 per Swiss student and corresponding funding for the Japanese side. Initial collaboration already underway.

Our scientific projects cover a range of topics:

Scientific Compensation of the Exchange‘s Environmental Impact:

We explore and compare real strategies to compensate for the CO2 emissions caused by our flights by comparing different models, developing our own calculations, and working out concrete measures that we will put into practice as a group.

Wings Across Borders:

Designing & testing our own Micro-Wing using Navier-Strokes equations and CAD.

Advanced Algorithms for Solving Hard Problems:

Applying advanced algorithms to complex problems while fostering creativity and cross-cultural collaboration.

Cross Continental Smart Plant Design & Deployment (IoT):

Co-designing and testing Arduino-based smart plant systems abroad, fostering remote engineering collaboration and cross-cultural adaption.

Quantum Quest:

Applying Grover’s Algorithm to playful search challenges.

Modelling an Epidemic Using a System of Differential Equations:

Modelling and simulating epidemic outbreaks using differential equations, applying the SIR model to real data from Switzerand and Japan.

Using Linear Programming to Optimize Diet and Production in Industry:

Applying linear programing to optimize balanced diets and improve production or distribution planning Swiss and Japanese industries.

Modelling the Population Size of Japan and Switzerland Using Ordinary Differential Equations:

Modelling and predicting population size in Japan and Swizerland over the next 50 years.

Our Strategies

With the help of sustainability expert Armina Demon we were able get an expert's advice concerning efficient compenstion strategies. If you are interested in learning more about her work, check out her LinkedIn (account required to view the contents):

⸻

🌍 Interview Notes – Environmental Impact & CO₂ Offsetting

FAQ

Send us your questions!

Vlog

30.09.2025 - Arrival in Japan

...

01.10.2025 - Our first day

...

About Us

We are two high school classes from Tokyo (JP) and Wettingen (CH) working together on scientific projects. Our goal is to collaborate and learn something from each other.

How to compensate your emissions

Buying flight tickets with the lowest possible emissions: a first step in our environmental project

When Movetia approved the funding for our exchange, the environmental project to compensate for the CO₂ emissions was already a central part of the programme. In its evaluation, Movetia explicitly highlighted that the project had exemplary value because it included the modelling of approaches to compensate for the CO₂ emissions caused by the flight, and could serve as a model for future mobility projects.

This made one thing clear: the question of flight emissions was not a minor addition to the exchange, but an important factor for the success and credibility of the whole project.

In this context, our environmental work did not begin only with the later compensation measures. It began with the choice of the flight tickets themselves. From an emissions perspective, a direct flight with Swiss would have been an obvious option, since direct flights generally produce fewer emissions than flights with stopovers. However, because of the very high price, this option was not possible. We therefore had to look for alternatives that were affordable for a student group while still being as environmentally responsible as possible.

It quickly became clear that this decision was much more complicated than it first appeared.

Why emission calculators give such different results

Our goal was to find a flight that was both financially realistic and environmentally reasonable. At first, we selected Turkish Airlines. The travel agency estimated the emissions for this flight at 3124 kg CO₂ per passenger. This was slightly above average, but still seemed acceptable.

However, other sources gave very different figures. Depending on the online calculator used, the result changed significantly. This made it difficult to make a well-informed decision.

Support from Pro Sky

We eventually received valuable support from Filipa Fernandes, Environmental Sustainability Specialist, and Imane Trafi from Pro Sky. Pro Sky specializes in group flights and helps find suitable flight solutions for group travel.

Filipa Fernandes and Imane Trafi helped us better understand the different figures and identify more reliable sources for calculating emissions. We are therefore especially grateful to Filipa Fernandes and Imane Trafi from Pro Sky, who invested a great deal of time and commitment in this project. On the Pro Sky team page, Filipa Fernandes is listed as Environmental Sustainability Specialist.

Why the exact aircraft type matters

One particularly useful tool was the emissions calculator by atmosfair.

This made one point very clear: to obtain reliable values, it is not enough to enter only the route or a general aircraft category. The exact aircraft type is crucial.

For example, Cathay Pacific uses an Airbus A350-900 between Zurich and Hong Kong and a Boeing 777-300ERbetween Hong Kong and Tokyo. When these exact aircraft types are entered, the calculated climate impact is about 2543 kg CO₂ per passenger. This is around 12% below average.

By contrast, if only generic aircraft categories such as “Airbus A350” and “Boeing 777” are used, as many online calculators do, the calculated value rises to 3232 kg CO₂. That is about 30% higher. The difference is therefore substantial.

Conversely, the more precise calculation also showed that the Turkish Airlines flight we had originally selected performed much worse than first assumed. With the correct aircraft types, the emissions amounted to 4006 kg CO₂ per passenger, around 40% above average.

Our final decision

By the time it became clear that Cathay Pacific would have been one of the lower-emission options, the relevant tickets were unfortunately already sold out. In the end, we chose a flight with KLM. The emissions were estimated at about 3042 kg CO₂ per passenger, around 5% above average. This solution was not perfect, but it was a reasonable compromise between price, availability, group organisation and environmental impact.

A surprising connection to ETH Zurich

It was also interesting to learn that the calculation tool used by atmosfair was partly developed at ETH Zurich.

For us in Wettingen, this was particularly remarkable. With online tools like this, one often thinks of international platforms and distant institutions. It was therefore a pleasant surprise to discover that part of the scientific basis for this tool was developed practically in our neighbourhood.

What lower emissions really mean

Another important lesson was that lower emissions do not automatically mean better technology. They are often also related to how many passengers are transported on a plane. More passengers per flight means lower emissions per person — but often also less legroom.

In addition, European airlines are legally required to use a certain proportion of sustainable aviation fuels. This can also influence the emissions balance. Atmosfair also offers the possibility of directly offsetting flights. For our KLM flight, with around 3042 kg CO₂ per passenger, the compensation would cost about CHF 85. Similar offers are available from many airlines. At the same time, there is ongoing debate about whether such amounts are sufficient to fully compensate for the actual climate impact of flying.

From the flight ticket to the environmental project

The search for the lowest-emission flight ticket possible was therefore more than an organisational task. It became the first concrete step of our environmental project. It showed us how difficult it can be to find reliable information, compare figures correctly and make responsible decisions.

The environmental project has now been completed: the trees have been planted, and the emissions of our exchange will be compensated over the next 20 to 30 years. Buying the flight tickets was the beginning of this process — and at the same time an important lesson: sustainability often requires careful research, critical thinking and many practical compromises.