Learning and Activities
Overview
The Trust provides a range of learning opportunities for a variety of audiences which relate to rivers and wildlife and have developed some downloadable activities for all ages to do at home.
Whether you are an education outlet based within the Forth that would like to engage with rivers or a community group with an evening to fill wanting to learn more, we can provide engaging and exciting learning opportunities for you.
Our key aim is for all participants to have fun and to learn important information about rivers and how they help wildlife and communities thrive.
We focus on 3 key learning activities which can be found below. If you would like to find out more and are interested in the Trust offering a learning activity for you then please email hello@forthriverstrust.org with subject ‘Learning opportunities’.
We have downloadable activity packs available below which you can do at home too. Let us know how you get on by sending in your pictures to us via our Facebook page or Instagram pages!
Objectives
To provide fun and engaging learning opportunities for schools, colleges, universities and community groups which focus on rivers.
Funders
Funding comes in a range of forms. We try to add learning opportunities to funded projects where possible. Alternatively, please get in touch to find out costs to run our learning activities for your group and needs.
Staff led activities
Fish in the Classroom
Fish in the Classroom is our flagship learning programme targeted at primary schools. We offer a comprehensive package to schools around the Forth which provides high quality learning experiences for primary school children between P3-P6/7 on rivers, fish and wildlife. This learning opportunity ties in to the Curriculum of Excellence outcomes too – click here to find out more.
Dynamic Rivers
Rivers are dynamic features of the landscape. We have worked with local schools to develop a programme called Dynamic Rivers, an education package which provides secondary schools high quality, key learning about river processes using our very own River Table. Click here to find out more.
River Walks, Talks & Workshops
We engage with groups across the Forth ranging from walking groups, 50+, Scouts and Girl Guide groups, environmental groups and more. We can provide a range of walks, talks & workshops covering a variety of subjects which are river related. If you are a group within the Forth and would like to find out more about what we can offer then click here.
Caddis fly craft (do it at home)
Ages: 4+
Description: See our instruction sheet with a list of materials and step-by-step instructions for creating your own caddis fly larvae craft at home.
Bug bingo (do it at home)
Ages: 4-10 (Only do this with a parent or carer!)
Description: Kick at the riverbed in the low water to collect a selection of the invertebrates (bugs) that live there. With your bucket, net, magnifying glass and a spoon, search through and mark off on a card the beasties that have been caught.
You will need: wellies, a bucket, a net, a spoon (or something to scoop small things from your bucket), a magnifying glass, our bug bingo card, a pen or marker
Mini-RiverFly Monitoring (do it at home)
Ages: 10+ (Only do this with a parent or carer!)
Description: Head down to your local river (when the water level is low only) or burn with a net and kick about in the stones with the net downstream of your feet, any wee beasties will be washed in to your net. Place the beasties from the river in a container with some water and have a look at them. Use a spoon to search through and mark off on a card the beasties that are present.
You will need: wellies, a bucket, a net, a spoon (or something to scoop small things from your bucket), a magnifying glass, our Mini-RiverFly monitoring card, a pen or marker and complete the sheet. Share with us what you find in your local river on Facebook or Instagram.
Predator Prey Game
Ages: 7+
Description: Living things depend on each other for food and are all connected in what we call food chains. Our Predator Prey game is an identification game in which you place the mammals, birds, fish and insects in the pictures provided into a food chain. What do each of these eat?
You will need: The Predator Prey card pack available for download here.
Good River / Bad River artwork
Ages: All
Description: With crayons or coloured markers, draw what you think a healthy river should look like. What kind of habitat is there, are there animals, do you have playparks alongside?
Start out by drawing your river and then next to this you can draw the different things you would like to see when you are at the river! When you finish, use another sheet of paper to draw what you think an unhealthy river would look like. What kind of habitat is there, is there rubbish lying around, do you have big factories nearby?
Guidance notes are available here for a bad river and good river.
We would love to see your picture. If you want, you can share it with us at hello@forthriverstrust.org or on Facebook or Instagram. It could even make an appearance on our website, but don’t worry, we won’t put your drawing up if you don’t want us to!
Otter Detective Activity Book
Ages: 5+
Description: Learn to become a skilled otter spotter with this handy booklet.
Woodland Wonders Tree Search
Ages: 5+
Description: A search and find activity booklet to identify and learn more about some of Scotland’s native tree species.
Woodland Wonders Activity Book
Beastie Safari Activity Book
Ages: 5+
Description: A fun filled activity booklet to inspire the whole family to get on your wellies and explore the beasties & bugs of our wonderfully wild ponds & rivers.
RiverLife Colouring Pack
Ages: all
Description: A pack of 3 river scene colouring sheets – A3 recommended.
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