Umicore launches an educational package on sustainable technologies for elementary school children in Nysa

The educational package 'Batteries charge our daily life' is a pilot curriculum on sustainable technologies, created by a multidisciplinary team of professors and experts in the field. The package will serve to conduct extra classes for students at the elementary school No. 1 in Nysa.  Umicore is the project's initiator, main partner and funder of the educational materials. The National Academy of Applied Sciences in Nysa is the program’s content partner. 

The educational package was officially handed over to the school management on 24 November 2022 in the presence of Mr. Kordian Kolbiarz, Mayor of Nysa, representatives of the National Academy of Applied Sciences, Ms. Anna Opalka and Dr. Piotr Chwastyk, representatives of the Municipal Board of Education in Nysa and Umicore. 

The package is part of Umicore's aim to raise awareness about electromobility, green energy and respect for the environment. “We would like to arouse students’ interest in physics, biology  and sustainable technologies. Electromobility, recycling and the opportunities they bring for battery materials are excellent examples to explain how we can contribute to a more sustainable future for all,” explains Agata Czechowska, Manager General Site Services and Communication, Umicore Poland. 

The educational package consists of a teachers’ handbook, a workbook for students and a kit with practical experiments. The workbook is divided into seven chapters - battery chemistry, raw materials, battery applications, electromobility, recycling, and the closed loop model for metals, according to which Umicore operates worldwide. For the final, seventh part students will visit Umicore's plant in Radzikowice to learn about the production of cathode materials – the key components of lithium-ion batteries, which primarily determine their performance. “We tried to convey in a simple way the issues that are already very important and will determine our future. Young people are interested in new technologies and solutions, but they don’t know too much about sustainable development,”  explains Anna Opalka, head of the External Relations Department and International Cooperation Office of the State Academy of Applied Sciences in Nysa. 

The elementary school No. 1 in Nysa was selected for the pilot edition of the programme. Classes will start on 30 November for two groups of 15 students. Umicore does not exclude that the 'Batteries charge our daily life' educational package will be extended to other schools in the region. 

“We are planning to start classes on 30 November. Interested children from grades 7-8 will participate in the additional classes. Teachers of biology, physics and chemistry will take care of the implementation of the educational package in our school,” says Bożena Węglarz, director of the elementary school No. 1 in Nysa.