The summer camp “Sonechko” at Rativtsi Gymnasium recently hosted an eco-educational lesson focused on conserving the biodiversity of Carpathian butterflies. This engaging event was conducted by gymnasium teacher and IRCEF volunteer Krystyna Solanska, with participation from students in grades 1-6, including those learning in both Ukrainian and Hungarian languages.
During the lesson, the children watched an educational video that introduced them to various butterfly species native to the Carpathians. They learned to identify butterflies using photos and examined night butterflies in insect containers with magnifying glasses. The interactive session included completing tasks from Olha Velykanych’s workbook “Secrets of Church Towers.” Activities involved reading fascinating facts about butterflies like the small tortoiseshell and the European peacock, coloring insect images by numbers, navigating mazes to guide butterflies to flowers, and connecting dots to complete pictures of butterflies. One of the highlights was the release of live butterflies into the wild after the class, giving students a firsthand experience of conservation in action. Karina Pryakha, a fourth-grade student, shared that she found it very interesting and instructive. She particularly enjoyed observing night butterflies in jars through a magnifying glass and completing tasks in her workbook.
The lesson aimed to familiarize students with the diverse butterfly species in the Carpathian Mountains, their reproduction, and their habitats. It also sought to develop observation skills, attention to detail, imagination, and logical thinking while fostering a love and care for the nature of their native land. Throughout the lesson, Krystyna Solanska emphasized the importance of protecting butterflies, encouraging students to admire these creatures in their natural habitats rather than catching them. She explained that many butterflies, including the peacock butterfly, are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and require conservation efforts.
The event was held in 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).
Informational Service of IRCEF
