Dominik Rubáš | KGE+KFY

Children are curious, we should teach them about volcanoes on volcanoes

Dominik Rubáš is a well-known personality in Liberec, especially around Ještěd. He works as a geologist in the Ralsko Geopark, is a representative of the town of Český Dub, is engaged in publishing activities and at the same time teaches both at a primary school and at our faculty, which is also his alma mater - he studied geography and physics here.

Based on the number of different jobs you currently have, I’m assuming that variety is important to you, is that right?

Yes, variety is very important for me. That also may be a way I avoid burnout as a teacher. On the other hand, even though I have several jobs, they all have the same goal. When running EVVO programs at Ralsko Geopark or teaching at high schools or universities, I try to involve as much field instruction as possible. Teaching outdoors in the landscape helps students form a relationship to nature and places, and perhaps even promotes pro-environmental behavior.

It is worth mentioning that you have written a number of important books about the Ještěd area. What draws you to writing about this region?

Ještěd and its vicinity is my native region and I have a very profound relationship to it. I suppose that explains my desire to write about it, to share the beauty here with readers. To invite them on a hike and show them unique geological features that can’t be found anywhere else in the Czech Republic. Surprisingly, however, my final thesis had nothing to do with geology - my bachelor's thesis focused on social geography, my master’s on bioclimatology. It was my uncle who first opened the window to the beauties of geology.

You are known to be a teacher who ascribes to experiential learning.  Has it been your experience that children learn better through experience than textbooks? How does that work in practice with geography?

Students are naturally curious. It seems to me that sometimes we underutilize this potential. We sit them down at desks and have them copy sentences from textbooks. If I’m supposed to teach about volcanoes, I’d rather take the students to one of the many extinct volcanoes we have in the Liberec region. Students see many things with their own eyes. They should learn about volcanoes on a volcano. I respect the idea of teaching Liberec geography by going to places.

After all, this was also the idea of the teacher of nations (Comenius): “Teach naturally, clearly, interestingly, if possible on the basis of real objects, on the basis of your own knowledge, i.e.: teach nature in nature, teach geography, if possible, by traveling."

Can you tell us why you decided to attend FP after graduating high school?

Liberec is a beautiful city. And it’s also close to home. In high school I was most interested in physics and geography and wanted to keep studying those subjects. I had an opportunity to do that here at FP TUL (TUL Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education). They were very beautiful years of my life. I have fond memories.

You also came back after graduating and now work part-time at the primary education department. You must really like our faculty...

Yes, that’s true. I have quite an ardent relationship with our faculty. As a student here I met so many good people and excellent teachers. And I won’t ever forget it.