New

We sought answers to these questions and many others together with pupils of several grades in two primary schools in the Žilina region. We plan to visit many more such schools in the future.

At the primary school in Dlho Pole (Žilina district), first-grade pupils initially compared clean and dirty soil, water and air in glass containers. We asked them what kind of water they would prefer to drink and what kind of air they would prefer to breathe, and the answer was not surprising, we all want clean water and clean air.

The children watched a short, engaging video with sources of air pollution. Then, using picture cards, we thought together about what the sources of air pollution could be and what could be done about it. Inspired by the pictures, the students created two posters where they drew what harms the air and what helps it. After completing the posters, the children presented their creations to each other and explained how their picture affects the air.

The second-grade students of Dlhé Pole Elementary School went crazy outside at the beginning of the lesson. We played a game where they ran between stations where they redrawn pictures with sources of air pollution. In class, we then watched a video about air pollution and looked for answers to the questions of where this pollution comes from, what causes it, and what we can do about it. Through a simple physical experiment, children saw in practice how filters in factory chimneys work.

We also visited elementary school in Žilina. We also discussed the air with students in grades 9, 7, and 5 using a video and picture presentation. We also focused on the topic of sustainable mobility, where students could compare two photos of how public space would change if we removed roads and parking lots and instead placed a park and a recreation area for people.

At this school, students were also particularly interested in a simple practical experiment demonstrating the function of a chimney filter. At the end of the first lesson, students could test their knowledge in a quiz with myths and facts about air pollution.

What the students probably enjoyed the most was the activity that followed the introductory educational lesson in the classroom. We went outside and the students were tasked with taking pictures in green and red photo frames of what helps protect the air and what pollutes it. We then evaluated this activity in class and the winners received a small souvenir. Thanks to the clever students, this activity resulted in beautiful photo outputs.

If your school is also interested in similar activities, do not hesitate to contact our air quality managers, who will be happy to visit your school and introduce the topic of air to the students. This way, we can make the invisible visible, at least for a while, and bring the topic of air pollution to the public's attention.