AT THE RIVER OF TYTUVA

By REGINA KAUŠIENĖ,

Biology teacher, methodologist at the Tytuvėnai Secondary School, Kelmė District

SUMMARY

The contemporary man lives surrounded by various substances. Ability to use them in a safe way without causing any damage to oneself and to others is of increasing importance. The pupils of today are future manufacturers, agriculturers or simple consumers. For the comprehension and solution of ecological problems, their literacy in natural sciences is the basic precondition. Such abilities may be developed in lessons of chemistry, biology and physics, by taking part in a variety of projects. When the theoretical knowledge is related to everyday experience, it is much easier to promt pupils to take interest in natural sciences.

With this objective in view and after consulting the staff of the Tytuvėnai Regional Park, the natural sciences teachers of the school have developed a project entitled “Practical Ecology”. The project was supported by the Socrates Comenius 1 funds. The project duration was one year. The main purpose of the project was detailed investigation of Tytuva, a small river, as all the lakes surrounding our town have already been thouroughly explored. The origin of the river name was investigated, and geographical situation and speed and yield of river flow was measured. Reasearch into the the diversity of plants and animals was carried out. Chemical analysis of the river water were performed. 210 pupils from the sixth to twelfth classes and 19 teachers of various subjects took part in the project in co-operation with the Office of the Head of Rural District and the Regional Park. When implementing the project, participants collaborated with a number of German, Hungarian and Chech schools. In addition to investigation of Tytuva-river, pupils collected information about Lithuanian water plants and animals under protection, national parks and reserves, and regional parks in Šiauliai Region. They also collected data regarding the waste disposal in the town of Tytuvėnai. The project activities were reflected in 10 films of slides. All project materials as well as films of slides were translated in German. The main project work has been effected during the project days. The project-related activities were highlighted by the press of our district. The project was presented during the school event, “I extend my hand to the Earth” and in an event on national level held in Šiauliai. Project participants also have shared their experience during meetings of participants in this international project, which were held in Budapesht, Hungary, and Bravantice, Czech Republic.

Chemical analyses were performed by pupils of ninth, tenth and eleventh classes. Instructions for water analyst was drawn up. Analysis kits were prepared. The pupils were divided into groups and every group has its research area. At the beginning of the project some of the simpliest water measurements were performed (temperature, cleaness level, smell and acidity of water, flow depth). Such measurements are simple so can be successfully performed even by backward pupils as for this no special training is required. The state of water changes depending on the year season. Thus, the measurements were repeated in autumn and in spring. Subsequently, some additional tests were performed such as water hardness test using soap chips, and water filtration. When we have acquired a compact water analysis laboratory, some further chemical tests were done (tests of nitrates, nitrites and phosphates, analysis of temporary and permanent hardness of water. The data were presented in tables. Those observations are being continued.

The pupils have participated in this project with interest. They very actively discussed the results, shared their impressions as regards the state of the riverside. Their public spirit and intolerance to pollutors was evident. With regard to this, we carried out a survey for establishing how the town residents dispose of waste. The results were compared with data from previuos years. For pupils, chemistry was not anymore something awful, dark or unncessary. They obtained some practical skills and got a feeling of being important themselves.