School Program takes 980 students to the river
Schools in Haringey, Enfield and Hackney have taken advantage of Thames21’s free school program and brought their classes out to their local rivers this Autumn!
A total of 980 students so far, have learned about river pollution and how to keep rivers clean through our in class & waterside sessions. Students ventured out to the Lea river at Ponders Lock, Walthamstow Marshes, & Markfield Park and investigated on the Lea tributaries the Turkey Brook in Albany Park – all locations just a short walk or bus ride from their school.
Activities included water quality testing, habitat surveying, local area mapping and guided walks were undertaken with fun and enthusiasm. Students were amazed to see the variety of wildlife that uses their rivers and also the different types of pollution found there. On one small stretch of river students counted over 50 plastic bottles!
Even the youngest students got involved through interactive storytelling and raindrop role playing before heading out to the river to see who lives there. Swans, coots, ducks and Canadian geese all came to say hello. To take your students outside and for more information on school programmes email edel.fingleton@thames21.org.uk.