Outdoor lessons take on new meaning for housebound pupils

Schools may be out for the pandemic but youngsters are being offered fun and interactive ways of continuing to learn about the local environment – online.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Over the past 10 years, the Ribble Rivers Trust has run a Rivers in the Classroom scheme, teaching children everything there is to know about their river.

So, when the coronavirus pandemic forced schools to close , the Trust moved their lessons online so that everyone, whatever their age, can continue to learn .

And, so far lessons are flowing well.

Children are learning about the great outdoors online... including The Dipper which has been the focus of one of the Trust's online topicsChildren are learning about the great outdoors online... including The Dipper which has been the focus of one of the Trust's online topics
Children are learning about the great outdoors online... including The Dipper which has been the focus of one of the Trust's online topics
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

RRT’s education and engagement officer, Christi Lloyd, said: "Creating these online resources is our way to ensure that we can still provide vital river conservation education while all our students stay safe at home.

"Each week we introduce a new topic, share wildlife fact files and have a quiz on Friday so people can check how much they remember from the week."

Topics covered so far range from the water cycle to plastic pollution and climate change, while the Wildlife Wednesdays have focused on a variety of river species such as the dipper, mayfly and eel.

Throwback Thursdays provide a chance there’s a chance to take a look back at past work and projects as well as listening to the Talking Rivers Podcast series which explores and celebrates the social, cultural and natural history of the Ribble and its tributaries.

Hundreds of schoolchildren have been hooked on Trout In The Classroom, part of the Trusts Ribble LifeTogether project,Hundreds of schoolchildren have been hooked on Trout In The Classroom, part of the Trusts Ribble LifeTogether project,
Hundreds of schoolchildren have been hooked on Trout In The Classroom, part of the Trusts Ribble LifeTogether project,
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And on Sundays, people can guess Where’s the Waterfall by watching videos of some of the River Ribble’s most spectacular beauty spots.

Programme manager, Harvey Hamilton-Thorpe said: "Our online resources provide a window into the world along the River Ribble.

"It allows people to access and enjoy the countryside and its natural wonders at a time when they can’t visit it in person."

One of the most successful projecst has seen hundreds of schoolchildren hooked on Trout In The Classroom, part of the Trust’s Ribble LifeTogether project,

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The online education resources, which are part of the Trust’s Ribble Life Together project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, can be accessed via the RRT’s Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/RibbleTrust

For further information about Ribble Life Together, visit www.ribblelifetogether.org or contact the Ribble Rivers Trust on 01200 444452 or via ribblelife@ribbletrust.com.

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.