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The events were organized within the framework of the LIFE IP project – Improving Air Quality and their aim was to provide teachers with tools and knowledge about the causes and consequences of air pollution, to present a methodological guide for determining the level of air pollution and to inspire teachers to carry out practical activities with students focused on air quality. The program provided teachers with practical tools for teaching environmental topics and supported their motivation to actively contribute to improving air quality in schools and communities.

Participants were introduced to the issue of air pollution (sources, consequences and solutions), the differences between pollution and air pollution, sources of selected pollutants and their impact on human health, different types of measuring devices and methods of evaluating air pollution. The participants also became familiar with the project websites www.populair.sk and www.dnesdycham.sk, which provide a lot of important information about the state of air quality in Slovakia and materials that can be used in education at schools and public awareness.

For the purpose of enriching the teaching process, the participants were introduced to the methodological manual How to Determine What We Breathe and worksheets. The main goal of the publication is to update the issue of air pollution in the field of environmental education on topics such as: the level of air pollution in Slovakia, the impact on human health and various methods of determining air quality, including the use of bioindication as a technically and financially undemanding method of determining air quality.

Air quality managers for individual regions presented examples of other activities for schools – a list of environmental education activities focusing on air quality, the activity “Go to school with your own hands” and other environmental education activities offered to schools as part of enriching the teaching of science-oriented subjects and environmental education.

The participants actively participated in a practical workshop focused on creating sensory maps identifying sources of air pollution in the vicinity of schools. With the support and coordination of project staff, they mapped sources of air pollution and identified the main problems. At the same time, they proposed measures to solve the identified problems, especially in the areas of transport, heating, industry and agriculture. Subsequently, they jointly shared their own proposals for activities for students and the inclusion of the topic of air quality in the teaching process.

During the meeting, the SEA website – Ewobox, which collects and shares information from the field of environmental education, training and awareness-raising, was presented. Methodological manuals and various promotional and educational materials were prepared for the participants.

The participants of the event provided feedback at the end. They were very satisfied with the program and organization of the event and their expectations were met, as they received a lot of important and interesting information, practical experience and suggestions for implementing the topic of air quality in teaching. Presentations from the individual events are available at the following links: Banská Bystrica, Košice, Trenčín, Žilina.