Grade 5 and 6 students at Ponoka Elementary School and St. Augustine Catholic School enjoyed a fun, interactive day of learning about Ponoka’s watershed.
The field trip was held Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Kinsmen Community Centre by the Battle River Watershed Alliance with eight interactive stations that groups of students toured. Each station provided in-depth information related to managing the watershed, invasive zebra mussels in water bodies, the importance of bees to the ecosystem and how animals adapt, as well as others, said Natalie Olson, education and outreach co-ordinator with the alliance.
“They’re able to come and learn so much in a short period of time from guest experts,” said Olson.
Those experts are passionate about the subject they teach and as such, Olson feels students garner important information that meets their Grade 6 wetlands and watersheds curriculum. While some of the information provided is advanced for the Grade 5 students, they will be able to use the learning for next year.
There was a certain excitement in the air with students asking questions at each station or taking part in the activities presented. There was a loud murmur of voices in the room. “We’re so happy when there’s a lot of questions,” said Olson.
She added the noise level can increase but the interaction and excitement from students also shows they are involved in the process.
A First Nations story about a jumping mouse concluded the day.