In the period from December 8 to 11, 2025, the first cycle of workshops of the Small STEM School “Environmental Care: Soil” was held at the “Gustav Krklec” Elementary School in Maruševec.
Small School lasted 4 days, and the participants spent 2 hours each day studying a new topic:
- Soil – an organism that lives its own life
- Soil and water in a harmonious relationship
- Soil stained with pollution
- Soil – analyse me to see what I am like
Small school was attended by ten students who, together with the facilitator, researched the composition of the soil and the organisms that live in it, recognised the basic sources of soil and water pollution, analysed the soil using laboratory methods, and performed many other activities.
At the workshops, participants tested soil with various laboratory instruments, learnt about the indispensable role of soil in food production, drew conclusions about the importance of soil for plants, and vice versa, using examples and experiments to explain the causes and consequences of soil pollution, measured soil acidity, and conducted various other activities that creatively taught them about the importance and quality of soil.
Small School concluded with a discussion about what pollutes the soil, the type of soil required for specific plant species, and what we can do to mitigate soil pollution. The workshops provided participants with a basic understanding of soil structure, its functions and the most common sources of pollution. They learnt how to assess, protect and improve the soil in everyday practice, that is, how to apply it in the school garden and at home.
The next cycle of Small STEM School workshops, “Environmental Care: Soil”, is planned for January 2026, following the school holidays. The Small STEM School is held as one of the activities of the STEP for STEM project.
