Ecological education and awareness of technical university students

Abstract

A graduate of a technical university should, among others, have knowledge of non-technical aspects and effects of engineering activities, including their impact on the environment. The article presents the results of a survey aimed at knowing the degree of the students’ interest in environmental issues, their understanding of the relationship between human activities and the condition of the environment as well as their willingness to participate in solving environmental problems. Young people enrolling in a university already have some knowledge of the degradation and conservation of the environment. What surprises, however, is a relatively small proportion (10–20%) of the responses indicating the school as a source of the respondents’ knowledge of the natural environment. Attention was drawn to the need to make a better use of opportunities the school has to appeal to children and young people, as well as to the consequences of the fact that Internet and television are the primary sources of knowledge for young people.