School end of year events - 1.S (Prague)

In the laboratories of the Czech Geological Survey in Barrandov, the pupils were introduced to various ores that serve as mineral raw materials to obtain important elements for various sectors of the economy. At the beginning of our visit, we were welcomed by the Deputy Minister of the Environment - Mr. František Talíř, who was instrumental in organizing the excursion.

From our point of view, the most interesting passage was the one concerning metal ores, e.g. lithium, which is also found here in the Czech Republic. We showed the mechanical separation of graphite from the graphite ore from Český Krumlov and the pupils were familiar with the elemental analysis of individual ores by X-ray and chemical analysis. They also saw fluorescence and phosphorescence of some minerals. We also confirmed the composition of synthetic silicon carbide, which is in our school's collection.

Then we moved to the Letna Plain, where we saw the panorama of Prague. This was followed by a tour of the National Technical Museum, where students spent more than two hours looking at exhibits of bicycles, motorcycles, boats, cars and trains. They also visited adjacent exhibitions of their own interest.

Finally, we moved on to Wenceslas Square, where students had two hours for an individual tour of the city.

(Ing. Bc. Lukáš Franta, Ph.D.)