Projects / Programmes
Education on ecoremediations with the use of information technologies
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 7.00.00 |
Interdisciplinary research |
|
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S281 |
Social sciences |
Computer-assisted education |
informing about environment, environemntal awareness, increasement of life quality, education trail, ecoremediations, education, reduction of pollution, sustainable development
Researchers (12)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
The basic project idea is founded on the recognition that there is a lack of activities involving people in taking care of healthy and clean environment. On the other hand, there are many ecoremediation (ERM) facilities in local environments used for cleaning and protection of the environment and the very same facilities may be usefully included in educational, promotional and information activities. Project will last from 2007 to 2009 and will involve 32 ERM facilities, designed for different environmental needs and distributed across the entire Slovenia. They will be included in three education paths (along the Dragonja River, in Pomurje and the whole Slovenia) presented on the website and through multimedia portals. The existing ERM facilities gain also research and development, educational and promotional functions. The visitors of ERM paths will acquire knowledge of natural processes and the possibilities of putting them to the service of men which will contribute to development of knowledge-based society. In the framework of this project, first the existing information about each ERM will be arranged, followed by a review of the situation in the field and the upgrading of facilities for the intended purpose. The next activities will be the preparation of programmes for different paths and various target groups, informing the local population about the project, preparation of leaflets, ERM path brochures, making of information boards at each point, preparation of films and film animations for individual points, setting up of multimedia portals and setting up of a website in Slovenian and English followed by the establishment of a coordination centre with three employees. Maintenance and inspection of the facilities on the paths will be carried out at least four times a year. Specific programmes will be prepared for different target groups, which will be guided through the paths. R&D work will be organized for graduates, postgraduates, specialists, innovators and others. Through promotion we will increase visiting of website and multimedia portals for education on ERM. The project activity will include also the organization of one national and one international workshop every year. Through the promotion of education, the project will contribute to the development of human resources and rise the awareness of sustainable protection of the environment. The education on ERM will contribute also to the regional development and, consequently, to the reduction of economic and social disparities between the regions. The increased application of ERM technologies will improve the competitiveness and innovativeness of the economy in the field of environmental technology. The project results will contribute to the management of protected areas (Natura 2000), to the protection of seas, the sources of drinking water and other nature protection facilities. The purpose of the project will be maintained through the functioning of the demonstration path also after the conclusion of the project.
Significance for science
The project accelerated further research and development of new green technologies such as ecoremediations (ERM). Existing ERM objects were upgraded in a way that besides basic function of pollution treatment and ecosystem protection and restoration they also enable carrying out the research and education. Through information contents, elaborated in the framework of the project, ERM functioning (including basic background), structure and construction were put near to the public and target groups.
Among the main principles of sustainable development ERM contribute to natural resources conservation and unify ecology and economy. ERM systems also enable mitigation of global warming consequences, because they reduce the impacts of draughts and floods. With the project sustainable solutions for environment protection and management were presented, which contribute to biodiversity conservation, reduce different types of pollution (also agricultural), increase water and soil quality and show the possibility of green technologies implementation in protected areas like Natura 2000. ERM base on natural systems and processes and restore destroyed natural balance.
In the framework of graduation, masters and PhD theses a research on ERM objects was carried out. Because the project was oriented in education on ERM as natural and co-natural systems for environment protection and restoration also natural sciences were promoted.
Significance for the country
The basic project idea was founded on cognition that there is a lack of activities which would include people to the care for healthy and clean environment. On the other hand there are many ecoremediation (ERM) object in the local environment, which are used for treatment and protection of the environment. These objects were included in the project and advantageous used in the educational, promotional and informational purposes. Visitors of ERM objects were acquainted with theirs functioning, meaning for the environment and advantages in terms of multipurpose use. In education there was a stress also on knowing the processes in nature and the possibilities for the transfer of natural processes and systems for human purposes. By expanding the information on ecoremediations we contributed to the development of the society that bases on the knowledge. Through broadened informational sources a big recognition of ecoremediations was achieved, which is important for reaching sustainable development of Slovenia.
Project results will be useful also for educational institutions, which used the ERM learning paths already during the project, but in continuation they will be able to broaden their field activities.
The project contributed to a better social dialog between expert organisations and local population and different groups of interest. Environmental engineers, experts from water quality field, non-government organizations, educational organizations, agricultural societies and societies of ecological farmers etc. In the framework of the project also different aspects to environment protection were confronted and were through successful communication also harmonized. Through this we contributed also towards solving of many social problems concerning environment.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
