PROGRAMME

Group devision:

1. INDUSTRY VS. LANDSCAPE AND AIR
   The students observed the influence of the mining industry on the landscape during a field trip to the Queen Luiza Coal Mine in Zabrze and a round trip in the area of Jastrzębie and Karvina. Special attention was paid to mining damages. The environment is also affected by emission of combustion gases from the heat and power station. The group visiting the station focused on its environment-friendly actions. The student visited also the nature reserve Kopce, where they familiarised themselves with conservation methods in Cieszyn and the protected plant species.


2. ENERGETICS
   The students learnt how thermal and electric energy is obtained in Cieszyn. They visited also a coal mine. Statistics concerning the methods of obtaining energy in Poland, Austria, The Czech Republic and Hungary were compared. The main achievement of the group was building in cooperation with Ecoenergia Society from Cieszyn a solar collector for heating water.


3. FOREST ECOSYSTEM I and II
   Both groups dealing with forest ecosystem worked in The Educationaal Centre Lesnik in Ustron Jaszowiec. The groups recognised types of trees, assessed their health state, examind types of leaf litter, the state of ecosystem in different parts of the forest.The students also visited the glassworks in Trzyniec, the Czech Republic. They discussed the threats to the environment caused by heavy industry and the actions on the part of the glassworks to limit the emission of fumes and dust to the atmosphere.


4. WATER
   The group examined the quality of water from the Wisla, Olza, Bobrowka and Mlynowka rivers. The students visited the water purification plant in Cieszyn. They also visited brines in Debowiec and learnt about their properties and the eco-friendly returning of the brine in Ustron to its original deposits.


5. CIESZYN – THE BOARDER TOWN
   The group examined the inconveniences connected with the heavy tourist and commercial pedestrian and car traffic on the boarder bridges in Cieszyn. In addition, the students examined the lnoise level on the main junctions in the town. The group assessed the benefits and drawbacks of Cieszyn being a boarder town.