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Teachers Conduct Wood Chemistry and Physics Experiments

To deepen the understanding among teachers of natural sciences, chemistry, and physics about wood and to provide ideas for practical work during classes, JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) together with its cooperation partners from the forest and education sector last month held continuing education courses for teachers on a new methodical tool titled “Koksnes eksperimenti 5.–12. klasei” (Wood Experiments for Grades 5-12).

“In these courses, we presented to the teachers a topic that has not been covered much in school programmes but is very important for the economy of Latvia – wood, its composition and properties. As an additional support, the teachers were given not only methodological material with lesson descriptions and worksheets to be tested together with the students, but also a special document titled “Lietkoku čemodāns” (Suitcase of Valuable Trees) with samples of wood for experiments,” says Līga Abizāre, LVM Environmental Education Manager.

The courses brought together almost 50 teachers of natural sciences, chemistry, and physics from all over Latvia, who learned the wisdom of wood at the Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Institute (MeKA) in Jelgava.​ The teachers spent the first part of the day familiarizing themselves with the new learning material “Wood Experiments for Grades 5-12” content. After getting acquainted with the methodological guidelines, the teachers were encouraged to assume the role of students, implementing the scientific experiments proposed in the material for different age groups. By working together, the attendees got an idea of such topics as, for example, the extraction of thermal wood and the mechanical properties of wood.

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To support teachers in conducting wood experiments at schools, together with the teaching material, the “Wood Experiments for Grades 5-12” tool was presented to each teacher. The easy-to-move suitcase includes raw materials for several of the described experiments, but each teacher can supplement the contents of the suitcase with materials necessary for the learning process as part of the work.

After conducting the experiments, those present shared their impressions:

• An intensively, expertly organized day in which I gained many new and exciting ideas and insights.
• A tree in a school and a tree in a forest are two wonderful things to use in science subjects.
• I really liked the experiments on wood density and chemical composition.
• Thank you, valuable ideas and materials that will make the work of teachers easier.
• Lots of ideas for practical work. Food for thought that there are many scientists in Latvia who study wood and its properties. Now I know what lignin is.

The content of the 12-hour continuing education courses for teachers was created in cooperation with the State Institute of Wood Chemistry of Latvia, Interdisciplinary Education Innovation Centre of the University of Latvia, Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Institute, JSC “Latvijas Finieris”, Latvian University of Biosciences and Technologies, as well as the association “Latvijas koks”. To receive a course certificate, teachers will have to do their homework by 21 March – approbation of the materials received in the courses and preparation of the approval report, after which the material will be further improved.