BOTANY

The diversified world of plants

Classes conducted from spring until autumn allow the students to learn about the common species of plants. Students are introduced to plant morphology, learn how to use simple atlases, guides and identification keys.

Know the trees

The classes feature flashcards for children, educational boards and direct contact with trees during walks along the forest educational route. Students learn how to tell a tree by its silhouette, leaf shape and fruit. Both conifers and deciduous trees are included in the curriculum.

Plants and pollination

The aim of this course is to introduce children to various types of flowers and methods of pollination. Both audiovisual equipment and direct observation of flowers and insects (in the meadows of the Forest Park) are employed. The function of wind and the phenomenon of self-pollination are also discussed.

Plants and medicine

Children are introduced to various species of medicinal plants, learn about how various parts of plants are used for medicine and about dangerous plants.

How to tell an animal from a plant?

Classes dedicated to the youngest students of elementary schools. Children learn about the characteristics of plants, birds, insects and mammals and are introduced to simple classification of the living world.

ZOOLOGY

The amazing world of insects

The aim of this course is to teach children about the rich diversification of the insect world, introduce them to insect morphology and point out the interesting features of insect bodies (their eyes, wings etc.). Common species of insects are also introduced.

The Fly - your friend or foe?

Children watch microscopic sections and film materials, learn about the development of the fly and its function in nature, human life and the circulation of organic matter.

Our croaking friends

Children learn about Polish amphibians, their bodies, habits and species. Frog concerts are one of the attractions of the course.

Flying birds

Children learn about the bodies of birds, their adaptation to the environment they live in and diversity of species. Fun facts about birds are also introduced.

Water fowl

Children learn to recognize species of birds, acquire basic skills in the field of observation of birds in the pond, learn the notions of altricial and precocial species, learn how to tell diving ducks from regular ducks. Binoculars are used for observation.

Our friend, the hedgehog

During this course, children are taught about the hedgehog's morphology and eating habits. In autumn, the classes also discuss the preparation of animals for winter and recognition of a hedgehog's state of health.

Hoofed animals

Children learn to tell various species of hoofed animals and are introduced to biology of ungulates. The difference between antlers and horns is discussed.

Dangerous predators - the wolf

Characteristics of predatory animals are introduced with the example of the wolf. The wolf is presented to children as a pack animal. The course comprises a guided tour, a film and a talk about the role of predators in nature.

Meet the Polish animals

Through guided tours around the Polish Fauna Garden and, films and games children learn how to tell animals by their sounds, behavior and eating habits. Children are introduced to ungulates, predatory mammals, water birds and rodents..

How animals prepare for winter

Classes are taught outdoors, by the ponds or in the Fauna Garden, and indoors, in the audiovisual room. Students learn about the animal species which make special preparations for winter.

ECOSYSTEMS

Forest life

Walking along the educational trail, children learn various facts about the forest, such as the layers of the forest, its typical animals and plants. Various species of trees are pointed out during the walk.

The meadow throughout the year

This class introduces children to the common species of meadow plants and makes them realize how rich and diverse the meadow community is. Typical plants for each season are discussed.

Life in the pond

Walking along the "Szuwary" ("Reeds") educational trail, children learn about  living conditions in the water and are shown water animals and plants in their natural habitat.

Water and land environments

These two types of habitat are compared during a trip to the pond. Various animals and plants are discussed, together with their adaptation to life in the water or on the land.

ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Why keep water clean?

The course comprises walks around the ponds, field analyses, laboratory classes, lectures and films. Students learn about the significance of water to animal and plant life, the classifications of water quality and various types of water protection and treatment.

What do you know about air?

Classes designed for the youngest children. Qualities of air and threats resulting from human activity are discussed.

Lichens – natural indicators of sulfur in the air

Classes designed for junior high students and the  final years of elementary schools. The aim of the course is to measure the level of air contamination with sulfur dioxide in the neighborhood and to learn notions such as bioindicator, lichen zone scale, and lichen desert.

Rubbish easy as ABC

The course combines practical and theoretical knowledge. The instructor discusses the basic notions related to various types of waste and their treatment. The importance of rubbish segregation is highlighted.

Why do we need soil?

The aim of this course is to teach children about the meaning of soil and the organisms which inhabit it. Reasons for and effects of soil degradation are discussed.

Environmental degradation

Young people are introduced to ideas related to environmental degradation, the basics of plant and animal protection and problems related to waste disposal.

Reasons for and effects of climate change

The course introduces students to the idea of climate and its characteristics. Reasons for and effects of climate change are discussed.

Environmental pollution - lifestyle diseases

This course is designed for young people. Students learn about various types of environmental pollution and their effect on human health. The notion of lifestyle disease is introduced, along with various types and means of preventing such diseases.

Positive and negative impacts of modern civilization on human health

The development of human civilization, together with its pros and cons, is discussed. Students learn about threats related to environmental pollution and the means of preventing it.

Sustainability - choice or necessity?

This class introduces young people to the expectations, implementation and effects of sustainable development strategies in relation to environmental protection.

How to save energy in your household

A lecture, devoted to various ways of household energy saving, teaches students how to decrease energy use and thereby contribute to environmental protection.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Protecting animal species

Young people are introduced to legal provisions related to species protection and the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Red lists of endangered species are discussed. The classes are taught in the Polish Fauna Garden and the Centre's classrooms (including film materials and lectures).

Various forms of environmental protection

Children are introduced to the variety of forms of environmental protection and the aims of creating national parks, landscape parks, nature reserves, protected landscape areas, ecological sites, natural monuments etc.

What is biodiversity?

Students are taught about the biological diversity and the effects of human activity on biodiversity.

MISCELLANOUS

The microscope - how it's made, how it's used

Practical classes during which children learn about the construction of the microscope, the lens and the basic rules of working with a microscope. Simple objects such as leaves, moss, insects, own hair and fingers are used.

Four seasons of weather

Children take part in a lecture and games during which they learn to tell the seasons of the year by their characteristics and describe the weather. Adaptation of animals to the changing seasons is also discussed.

ECOLOGY LABORATORY

• Measuring water quality in water bodies in the Forest Park
• How to remove contaminants from water
• How different gases dissolve in water depending on its temperature
• Comparison of mineral elements in water from different sources
• Microscopic differentiation of drinking water from distilled water
• Measuring air pollution in the Park
• Measuring the reaction of fluids in the air
• Measuring air quality - CO2 content, temperature and humidity
• Analysis of O2 content and air temperature/pressure measurement
• Detecting faulty gas equipment and installations
• Examination of mineral elements in the soil
• Soil examination - finger testing
• Measuring the content of water in the soil
• Measuring the content of limestone, nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil
• Measuring soil reaction
• Measuring soil capacity
• Measuring soil sorptivity
• Detecting water in various parts of plants
• Detecting carbon in dry parts of plants
• Separation of photosynthetic pigments
• Detecting chlorophyll in red leaves
• How is the pine adjusted for wind pollination
• How air temperature affects the spreading of flowers

Participation in the classes is possible upon prior arrangement in person or by phone with the Centre's educators:

Beata Brzozowska-Michałek
Marek Błaszek
Hanna Dering

Phone no. +48 52-328-00-01
e-mail: bcee@bcee.bydgoszcz.pl