The dissertation deals with the effectiveness of the useof motivational elements like different types of crossword puzzles, riddles, rebuses and word plays etc. in teaching chemistry atlower secondary school. First, the database of motivational problems was created. The tasks (problems) are designed for practicing the curriculum of chemistry at lower secondary school in combination with one of the following subjects - mathematics, physics, biology or geography. Partia collection of problems that combine chemistry curriculum with geography or biology are available at http://is.muni.cz/do/rect/el/estud/pedf/cidlova/index.html. The remaining two collections are attached to this dissertation. These problems were subsequently used in an one and half year research focused on the impact of their use in teaching on the relationship of pupils to chemistry and on the results of their education in chemistry at lower secondary school. The research was initiated with a total of 886 pupils of the 3rd grade of lower secondary school. At the beginnig of the second semester these pupils completed an initial questionnaire focused on their relationship to chemistry. At the same time, the same pupils were also exposed to a test focused on chemistry curriculum corresponding to their level of education. The one-semester...

The abstract The main aim of the dissertation was to find out the level of knowledge and opinions of secondary technical and especially grammar school students in the field of Chemistry focusing on environmental problems of these days and their solutions. As a follow up of the research and the analysis of the current curriculum in Chemistry in grammar schools there are suggestions for some amendments in this subject. First of all, current trends of the environmental studies in different years of the educational system were monitored and the research results of preparation, realization and evaluation in secondary technical and grammar schools were analysed. In order to find out the level of environmental aspects in the content of the Chemistry textbooks currently in use at grammar schools, they were analysed by focusing on their eco-oriented content, the useable parts in each chapter were evaluated and some recommendations for their amendments were offered. Selected grammar school and secondary technical school students undertook the survey in order to find out their knowledge and opinions about the current environmental problems. The method of the research was conducted in the form of research questions and relevant hypothesis which was focused on finding out attitudes and opinions about the creation and...