Bringing Rivers to Life: Inspiring Young Minds Along the River Usk

This year, the Bannau Brycheiniog Education Team have been delivering new River Investigation Days in local schools around Brecon and the River Usk.

The River Investigation Days are delivered on behalf of the Four Rivers for LIFE project with the aim of raising awareness about the River Usk ad some of the challenges it faces.

This blog, from the Bannau Brycheiniog Education Team, explains more about this work and its importance.

Working together

The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is a partner in the Four Rivers for LIFE project and has worked closely with the project to deliver several of its objectives, from invasive non-native species control to environmental education.

On behalf of the LIFE project, the Education Team have delivered eight River Investigation Days to seven schools, engaging with 210 pupils in total.

The Education Team are made up of three Education Officers, all of which are tasked with delivering outreach to schools within the Bannau Brycheiniog area.

The River Investigation Days bring rivers to life through a mix of classroom sessions and outdoor exploration, giving pupils a hands-on opportunity to learn about river systems, local wildlife, and the importance of protecting our natural environment.

Image: Ysgol Pont Senni pupils measuring the width of the river (credit BBNP)

With a special focus on the River Usk SAC (Special Area of Conservation), the workshops aimed to inspire curiosity, deepen understanding of how rivers work, and encourage a lasting connection with nature.

From classroom to riverbank

Collaborating together the Bannau Brycheiniog Education Team and the Four Rivers for LIFE project aimed to help pupils understand how rivers work and why they are important for wildlife and people.

The session highlighted how rivers shape landscapes, support wildlife, and face challenges.

Pupils explored river processes with a 3D River Model, learned about salmon migration through interactive games, and discovered wildlife using a ‘Top Trumps’ style game.

The sessions finish with a trip to the River Usk, where pupils collected samples, and discovered the creatures living there.

Image: Ysgol Pont Senni pupils identifying what they found in the river (credit BBNP)

Building a river

A highlight of the workshops was the 3D River Model, where pupils were given the opportunity to create a river, shape the riverbed and watch how the river moved. They could observe how erosion changes a rivers’ course, how meanders and floodplains are created.

The model also allowed pupils to learn how rivers can be restored naturally, for example by planting trees along the banks to slow water flow, reduce erosion, and create habitats for wildlife. This activity helped them connect classroom learning with real river processes on their River Usk.

 

Image: Llanfaes CP School pupils with the 3D river model (credit BBNP)

Benefits of educational outreach for children

The workshops have been very well-received by teachers and pupils. This is what they had to say.

Tom Edwards from Llangattock Primary School said:

“We had a fantastic morning taking part in the ‘Rivers for LIFE’ workshop. The session on migratory fish really captured the pupils’ interest, and the river simulator helped them see how barriers affect the shape and flow of the River Usk.

The walk to the river and collecting data were real highlights — the pupils were fully engaged, asking thoughtful questions, and learning so much without even realising it. It was a memorable experience for everyone.”

Anne-Marie Thomas is a Year 6 Teacher at the Priory Church in Wales School, she said:

“On behalf of the staff and pupils at Priory School, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the wonderful outreach day for our Year 6 class. From the guided walk along the River Usk to the water sampling and species identification, every activity was designed to inspire curiosity and deepen understanding.

The children were captivated by the chance to explore their local river environment and came away with a much stronger sense of the species that inhabit it. The relevance of the day’s learning to our curriculum was excellent, and the river-themed activities back at school further reinforced the learning and kept the children engaged and inspired.”

Next steps

We are excited to work with more schools over the coming months and are planning to include secondary schools as part of our outreach sessions.

We are also busy working on new online resources that can be downloaded by schools and will continue to be used after the end of the LIFE project.

We are delighted with the response from schools in the Brecon area and believe the sessions have helped pupils explore rivers and their ecosystems and develop a sense of responsibility for the natural world.

Get in touch

Do you want to bring rivers to life for your pupils in the Bannau Brycheiniog area? Feel free to get in touch with the BBNP Education Team by email on educationemail@beacons-npa.gov.uk

To keep up to date with the Four Rivers for LIFE project you can follow us on as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram   or subscribe to our newsletter here