Ecology Laboratory

The ORT Technology Center in Dniepropetrovsk's Ecology Laboratory was established to ensure that its students both comprehend and consider technology's impact upon society and the environment. This is a particularly critical issue in the Newly Independent States, where a lack of awareness on this topic has led to such environmental and societal catastrophes as Chernobyl. At the Ecology Laboratory, students are taught about the history of technological development and its effect (both positive and negative) upon nature and society. They consider the ecological ramifications of technological developments and solutions, and study the methods that can help reduce the negative impact of technology on human beings and the environment. The ORT Technology Center in Dniepropetrovsk currently enrolls over 700 students, aged 6 to 17, and the Ecology Laboratory has the potential to significantly influence the attitude of future generations of technology workers as they assume positions of authority within their field. However, the dearth of specific educational materials and lack of technical equipment has prevented these curricula from being administered to these students in a consistently high-quality manner.

Contributions to this project will enable ORT to:

• Purchase, install and maintain cutting-edge equipment in classrooms and science labs;

• Develop training and teaching materials;

• Conduct and evaluate initial trials of equipment and materials; and

• Evaluate and replicate the ecology curricula in schools throughout Russia and Ukraine.