The 1st-grade students at Yasinya Secondary School No. 1 were eagerly anticipating a class that promised to take them into the world of insects within their natural habitat. It was September 26, designated as Environmental Health Day, when the students, accompanied by their teacher, Maria Kesler, embarked on an adventure of observation and insect study, magnifying these tiny creatures 2-4 times with the aid of magnifying glasses.

Amidst the autumn meadows of the highlands, a rich variety of insects could be found as they prepared for the onset of winter. The young researchers were fortunate enough to stumble upon an anthill, enabling them to scrutinize its intricate structure, observe the diligent work of the ants, and closely examine the tiny creatures themselves through the magnifying glass. Their subsequent subject of investigation was the firebug. In comparison to the ants, it displayed a brighter coloration, though it was not as swift, making it easier for the students to observe in detail.

However, they did manage a small victory – capturing a photograph of the elusive butterfly, a tool that would enable a more comprehensive examination of the insect in the classroom. And, in keeping with tradition, the fruits of the students’ experiments and observations ignited a surge of creativity. The children crafted a butterfly drawing using the “print” technique, putting their imaginative talents on full display.

The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators  Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), and Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).

Maria Kesler, eco-trainer of the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe