STRATEGIES OF INTRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ISSUES TO THE SCIENCE EDUCATION IN POLAND

Since 1999 a study subject called ‘Elements of Science' has existed in Polish primary schools. Elements of the science covers issues from biology, geography, physics and chemis-try. There is no separate university course of studies in Poland that would prepare teachers to teach this subject. Natural science is taught by biology, chemistry, geography, and physics teachers, who obtain additional accreditation in order to teach this subject (Grodzinska-Jurczak, 2000). Students of the Jagiellonian University's chemistry department can also ob-tain these credentials. In order to do so, they must participate in the Methodology of Teaching of Science course. One of the elements of this course is environmental education. The first aim of this study was to determine to what extent the students at various levels of the educational system are familiar with ecological problems. The second aim was to develop a format for lessons that can be used by teachers to introduce ecological issues in the classroom or through extra-curricular activities.