Be “eco” with the Silesian University of Technology
Eco Week as part of the European City of Science Katowice 2024 is under way. This is a great opportunity to expand our knowledge of ecology and understand what sustainable development is, as well as inspire us to take action to help our planet every day.
For some it is rubbish, for others it is a raw material – egg and shoe packaging, bottle caps and plastic bottles have found another use, serving as materials for creating original toys. The “We Create Eco-Toys” workshops were led by students of the Silesian University of Technology working in the Science Club “The Air Quality Team.”
– We also want to teach children what ecology is, how to segregate waste, what we can do to help the environment, because we are the ones who harm it the most – explains Nikola Dąbek, a student at the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering. – We see that the level of ecological awareness among children is high, which makes us very happy.
The students showed that taking care of our planet can be creative and inspiring. Eco Week participants can discover that ecology is not an unpleasant duty, but an exciting journey through the world of innovation and opportunities that a sustainable and healthy lifestyle brings.
The Mindful Eco-WALK took place in the Kościuszko Park in Katowice, led by Patrycja Stukator from “Czuję Las “(I Feel the Forest) - a website dedicated to health and well-being. The walk was taken by an intergenerational group – mothers with children, people with disabilities, and seniors.
– During the walk we sharpened our senses, the participants listened to an ECO poem and used magnifying glasses to observe nature – says Patrycja Stukator. – It was intended to deepen the participants’ bond with nature. Attention to nature, combined with body movement, will allow us to feel that we are in a strong relationship with every living being on this planet. It is said that intuition is one of the senses that is disappearing in us, but which was once very important. During the walk, I used the slogan "compass in the heart" to encourage people to listen to their bodies and allow themselves to be guided to some green being that would give them relief.
The second day of Eco Week ended at the Kato Science Corner, where Joanna Bronisławska, working under the artistic pseudonym Asia Mina, led the EkoBAND – Recycled Music workshop.
– I prepared workshops for children during which we wondered what ecology in music is. We talked about whether we need to create instruments at all, or whether it is enough to listen to the sounds around us. However, we also tried to create instruments from seemingly unnecessary objects, giving a second life to objects that would soon end up in the trash – explains Joanna Bronisławska. – I would like these weeks of learning last not only a week, but as long as possible. So that they could encourage us to reflect on the way we live.
– We work with scientists, artists and experts to ensure high quality of all events. We get great satisfaction from observing how participants actively participate in lectures, ask questions, meet new people and solve problems - from the mundane to complex scientific issues - says MSc. Eng. Ewa Głuszek from the Silesian University of Technology, the producer of Eco Week. Together with the curator of the event, Dr Hab. Eng. Ewa Brągoszewska, Prof. SUT they decided to treat the participants of Eco Week with juicy apples from local suppliers. Let them be the reminder of how important it is to take care of the environment.
More information about Eco Week and a detailed schedule of free events can be found HERE.
cooperation: Martin Huć
