On April 23, 2025, the annual Science Fair was held at the Lviv Polytechnic National University.
The main goal of the event was not only to familiarize schoolchildren with the scientific achievements of the university and its educational areas, but also to attract professionally oriented entrants, because only such people are able to gain professional knowledge and become useful in industry.
One of the key moments of the program was an interactive quiz and master class, organized within the framework of the international LIFE MERCURY-FREE project, aimed at raising awareness of the harmful effects of mercury on the environment and human health.
The quiz was developed by Khrystyna Hrytsai, a 3rd-year student of the PZ-31 group of the Department of Software of the Institute of Computer Science and Information Technologies, during her practical work. The software created by Khrystyna allows users to check their level of knowledge about mercury, its impact on ecosystems, and ways to minimize the risks associated with its use. The quiz was part of an interactive presentation by Elvira Dzhumelia, assistant professor at the Department of Software, which aimed not only to test the participants’ knowledge but also to clearly explain how mercury affects everyday life and why supporting environmental initiatives is important.
During the master class, participants got acquainted with engineering solutions used to implement environmental projects, in particular within the framework of LIFE MERCURY-FREE. Students, teachers and guests of the event learned how modern technologies can help reduce mercury pollution, and also received practical advice on implementing environmentally conscious practices in everyday life. The most active participants who demonstrated deep knowledge and interest in the topic received incentive prizes from the organizers.
The event became an example of how Lviv Polytechnic students are involved in solving global environmental problems, using their knowledge and skills in the field of software. The quiz developed by Khrystyna Hrytsai will soon be available for review on the LIFE MERCURY-FREE project E-HUB platform, which also contains detailed information about initiatives aimed at creating a mercury-free world: https://e-hub.life-mercury-free.eu/uk/.
The use of digital tools in educational and informational activities is particularly effective in working with young people and the general public. Digital solutions make it possible to transform complex scientific information into an accessible form, which increases the level of environmental culture of the population – an important factor in preventing mercury pollution at the household level. The introduction of technological solutions in the field of information and education not only expands access to knowledge, but also creates the prerequisites for sustainable changes in attitudes towards the handling of hazardous substances. This proves the importance of combining innovative IT tools with national and international efforts in the field of environmental safety. Scientific fairs at Lviv Polytechnic once again confirmed that the university is a center of innovation and sustainable development. Students’ participation in projects such as LIFE MERCURY-FREE emphasizes their readiness to apply knowledge to solve current challenges of our time, and also contributes to the popularization of environmental awareness among young people.
