Students at Terrace Ridge School took part in their third Watershed day last Friday, where their focus was on the four key elements that make up our environment: Earth, air, water, and fire.

Students had multiple stations to go throughout the day to learn about the different elements and how they affect our local environment.

Those stations included hands on activities, such as learning Cree words, pond dipping, releasing butterflies which students have been incubating in their classrooms, and interacting with the different pollinator plants.

Lacombe is located on the Edge of the Battle River Watershed. For those of you who don't know, a watershed is an area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.

Students were thrilled with the day, especially since Mother Nature cooperated and provided them with a clear sunny day for all the outdoor learning.

Joey Temple is a former Outreach Coordinator with the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance, and since her retirement she connects with the school to help out with their Watershed days.

"The first year, the theme was watersheds. So they learned all about watersheds, and built their fence paintings of the animals that live within the watershed. And the second year, their theme was the beaver, and it's role in keeping water on the land."

It was a fun and educational experience, says Kale, a grade 5 student. "We've learned about, some water, stuff about leeches, and some back swimmers, um, and we've also learned about, this little scavenger hunt we did, with humming birds, bees and butterfly’s. Today's been really fun".

Fellow student Emma agrees. "I say the water (is the most fun part) because we got to play tag. We still have fire, and earth to go through, so I think those will be fun too."

Terrace Ridge School does their Watershed Day every second year for the past 6 years.

 

(Students learning about the Cree language from Dale Saddleback)

(Students learning about wings from different birds at one of the outdoor learning stations)