Image Credit: CFJC Today
WORLD RIVERS DAY CELEBRATION

Kamloops elementary school kids celebrate our city’s rivers

Oct 11, 2019 | 5:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — Students from Bert Edwards Science and Technology School took part in an annual tradition on Friday. Every year, the school gathers on the banks of the North Thompson to celebrate the river. Presenters from across the community, including scientists, and Indigenous educators were there to teach the students the importance of the river in our ecosystem.

“This event has gone on as long as I’ve been at Bert Edwards,” teacher Karla Chernoff explains. “Being in Kamloops, the river is a very important part of our city and why our city is even here.”

There were stories, some hands-on science, as well as some in-depth explanation of the anatomy and life cycle of a society salmon. Many of the Bert Edwards students have been to several Rivers Day events. They all had different ideal Rivers Day experience.

“Last year there was this station — it was gold panning. You went to the river, and you looked at the different types of sands,” Grade Six student Maya Hummel explained.

“My favorite was when we tested the water,” Hayden Chetman said. “We found, like, little beetles and stuff.”

Considering how close the school is to the North Thompson River, it’s a great teaching tool for the staff at Bert Edwards Elementary.

“We feel it’s something that sets us apart, being a science and technology school,” Chernoff says. “We just encourage everyone over the long weekend to get out and enjoy the outdoors and the river.”