Abstract:

Chemical processes in various sectors account for the biggest share of environmental pollution. A comprehensive solution to these problems requires a qualified and responsible approach to the state, development, and protection of the environment. In this respect, education has great importance at all levels and in all forms. Therefore, it is necessary to equip pre-service chemistry teachers with such knowledge that they can carry out the educational process in a qualified way, transforming the latest scientific and technical knowledge into the content of teaching at general and vocational schools.

This paper is focused on the cross-curricular character of the discipline “Environmental Chemistry for Teachers” to increase the interest of the young generation in environmental issues and the creative application of acquired knowledge in practice. This discipline gave rise to many final theses. One of this work was a final thesis entitled "Changes in the content of selected chemical characteristics in the Súčanka brook and its tributaries" was prepared and successfully defended at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra (Slovakia). The final thesis analyzed the quality of surface water in selected watercourses, in the Trenčín region. It monitored the quality of surface running stream Súčanka and its selected tributaries.

The quality of small surface watercourses was evaluated in this work. Assessment of water quality represents a set of its properties in terms of suitability for different uses, in terms of the degree of water toxicity to organisms or, in general, to the environment. In order to monitor water pollution, it is necessary to know the factors that contribute to water pollution and which could endanger the system in the long term. Based on the above-mentioned distribution and the influence of the substances contained in Súčanka stream and its tributaries were monitored following characteristics: water temperature, water reaction, and electrical conductivity were analyzed from the selected water samples of the Súčanka stream and its tributaries. The selected chemical characteristics of surface waters were: halides; sulfur compounds; nitrogen compounds and heavy metals.

Monitoring of the state of the environment in schools within the framework of science disciplines aimed at monitoring the environmental components allows for the full application of cross-curricular relationships. It raises the interest of students, pre-service chemistry teachers, to monitor the state of the surrounding countryside and the environment in which we live. This issue is closely linked to the theoretical knowledge acquired by students-pre-service teachers in science disciplines, especially in chemistry, as well as the acquired skills during laboratory exercises.

The positive educational aspect of the proposed and processed topic was fully confirmed. Environmental education depends on the learner's previous knowledge and perception. The final theses focused on environmental education represent for pre-service teachers the possibility of applying the acquired knowledge in practice. Educational aspects of the discipline "Environmental Chemistry for Teachers" are not only in the acquisition of knowledge in the field of environmental education but also represent study material, which is under the influence of constant changes and possibilities of development.

Keywords:

Environmental Chemistry for Teachers, education, pre-service teacher, knowledge.