School Anti-Smog Teams

As part of the project "Silesia. Blue Sky Restored", a special ceremony was held to recognize the School Anti-Smog Teams from Primary School No. 4 named after Tadeusz Kościuszko in Czerwionka-Leszczyny and the School and Preschool Complex in Kobyla. The recognition came in the form of vertical garden panels and vouchers for flower purchases – symbolic yet meaningful gestures acknowledging students’ involvement in activities promoting clean air and environmental education.

The awards ceremony had a formal and celebratory character. Among the guests were Mr. Adam Wawoczny, Director of the Association of Communes and Districts of the Western Subregion of the Silesian Voivodeship, and eco-manager Anna Rogowska, who expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation with schools. The event emphasized the importance of joint environmental education initiatives as tools for raising awareness and encouraging responsibility for the natural environment.

School Anti-Smog Teams are unique groups of students and teachers who, guided by eco-managers, take local action to improve air quality. Their primary goal is to promote pro-environmental attitudes, educate their peers, and initiate practical activities to reduce the human impact on the environment.

At the School and Preschool Complex in Kobyla, the team focused on organizing educational events and projects. They ran environmental competitions, thematic exhibitions, and awareness campaigns that engaged the entire school community. Their message was clear and effective: clean air is a shared responsibility.

At Primary School No. 4 in Czerwionka-Leszczyny, the team’s activities had a more hands-on, workshop-based approach. Students participated in regular educational sessions with the eco-manager, during which they discussed sources of air pollution, ways to reduce emissions, and how everyday decisions affect the atmosphere. Activities included experiments, creation of educational posters, and outdoor projects – such as planting flowers in recycled containers or playing ecological games in the open air.

The origins of the School Anti-Smog Teams date back to the cooperation with former eco-manager Ewa Mura-Pancerzyńska, whose dedication and vision led to the development of lasting educational structures in schools. Her work laid the foundation for today’s initiatives.

This mission is now being continued by the current eco-manager, Anna Rogowska. With her support, schools are expanding their potential in ecological education and engaging students around a shared goal: the pursuit of a cleaner and healthier environment.

The role of the School Anti-Smog Teams cannot be overstated. Children and youth are true ambassadors of change – they inspire adults, make conscious decisions, and introduce environmentally friendly practices into their homes and communities. Their commitment leads not only to increased awareness, but also to real, tangible actions that reduce harmful emissions into the air.

School Anti-Smog Teams are a powerful example of effective environmental education in action. Thanks to the "Silesia. Blue Sky Restored" project, students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and passions, while schools become important centers for promoting eco-conscious values. It’s an investment in the future – one that benefits the entire local community.

Text and photos: Anna Rogowska, eco-manager of the Western Subregion of the Silesian Voivodeship