For nearly two decades, students at Bert Edwards Science and Technology School have learned firsthand about the value of spending time outdoors — and the importance of protecting the Earth’s natural environment.

That tradition continued last month when the school’s 250 students made their way to the banks of the North Thompson River for the annual Rivers Day event.

Grade 2 teacher, Lise-Marie Duquette, who has been part of the celebration for 15 years, said the day is about highlighting the significance of rivers and surrounding ecosystems, as well as the need to protect them.

This message, she added, has become increasingly meaningful as drought and wildfire conditions worsen — and as the river itself changes from year to year.

“It has been different and it all depends on the summer and the melt,” said Duquette. “This year especially it’s been quite the drought. Some years we have to fight for some riverbed but not this year.”

When the Chronicle visited the site near Windsor Avenue, there was plenty of shoreline to go around. Under the clear autumn sky, students rotated through a series of interactive learning stations hosted by local partners including Kruger Paper, the Big Little Science Centre, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, B.C. Parks, and others.

Some stations featured live demonstrations or short educational talks, while others encouraged students to get hands-on with nature — exploring along the riverbank, identifying native species, or testing their knowledge through games and activities.

Duquette’s class joined a session run by the Big Little Science Centre and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, where students painted salmon statues and learned about the salmon life cycle, migration, and the predators that depend on them.

“I really like the painting,” said student Emilee Willick, carefully brushing colour onto her clay salmon. She added it was fun to learn about the fish that live in our rivers.

The day blended fun with environmental education, reinforcing key lessons about local ecosystems and conservation. For many students, it was a chance to connect classroom learning with the living world just beyond the school grounds.

Duquette said she’s grateful to the organizations that take part each year, helping to spark curiosity and awareness among students.

She said being so close to the river gives our students a unique opportunity. They can see for themselves what is talked about in class — how the environment changes, and why it’s important to protect it.

Principal Kimberlee Edstron said Rivers Day also incorporates Indigenous teachings and perspectives that emphasize the interconnectedness of people, water, and the land. Those lessons align closely with the school’s science and technology focus.

“The world is busy and people spend so much time in front of screens,” Edstron noted. “The children really look forward to it, as do the teachers actually. It’s the outdoor learning experience that we all strive for.”

Rivers Day is organized exclusively by Bert Edwards Science and Technology School and is not open to students from elsewhere in the district — but for those who do take part, it remains one of the most anticipated days of the school year.