Junior 5 pupils explore eDNA sampling at Salmon School!
J5 have been on an adventure, learning all about our local wildlife and new scientific research!
Earlier this term our Junior 5 pupils went on an adventure! The class travelled out of the classroom and down to a local tributary of the Clyde, the River Gryffe!
Here they took part in the new Salmon School project. The Clyde River Foundation and Smithsonian Museum have partnered up to deliver the Salmon School initiative as part of the COP26 Climate Conference. The project works with schools, looking at the health of their local rivers and burns, as well as testing the water with real cutting-edge environmental science!
While on site the children observed the CRF scientists electrofishing, watching closely as they caught and identified the different species present in the river. Junior 5 were fortunate enough that they caught a young eel, with all the pupils in awe learning about its long journey into the Clyde.
As part of the CRF and Smithsonian partnership, J5 collected a number of eDNA samples from the river that will soon be sent to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC! The pupils also explored some traditional methods of research; collecting freshwater invertebrates through kick sampling and investigating the relationship between plants on the riverbank and animals in the water.
Our Junior 5 pupils relished the opportunity to experience science in action, discovering so much about their local environment and learning of new exciting research methodologies. We hope all had a brilliant time on the local trip!