EcoAdventures are hands-on, interdisciplinary workshops designed for upper primary and secondary school students. They aim to inspire young people to explore their local environment—especially river ecosystems—and put their knowledge about nature and the environment into practice. Through these experiences, students develop a sense of connection and responsibility toward their surroundings and local rivers, encouraging them to care for them actively and thoughtfully in the future. EcoAdventures also support our long-term goal of raising environmental awareness and promoting public engagement in the co-creative stewardship of rivers, emphasizing shared responsibility and the use of nature-based solutions.
This workshop focuses on developing nature‑observation skills, activating different senses, exploring a local river or stream, and learning about aquatic and riparian species of plants, animals, and fungi. Pupils and students will sample aquatic invertebrates—primary school pupils will concentrate mainly on identifying taxonomic groups, while secondary school students will complement fieldwork with data analysis and the calculation of the Trent biotic index, a tool used to assess the ecological status of water bodies. Participants will prepare data visualisations and present the results of their sampling. The workshop concludes with a discussion: primary school pupils will reflect on new observations in their local environment, while secondary school students will formulate concrete proposals for improving the ecological condition of the studied watercourse.
When exploring a river, we cannot overlook the many processes occurring in and around it, nor the fact that a river is constantly changing. This workshop aims to develop an understanding of natural river dynamics, using the concept of the river’s four dimensions as a guiding framework. We will discuss the longitudinal, lateral, vertical, and temporal dimensions of a river, try to identify them in the local environment, and examine the processes characteristic of each dimension. Pupils and students will learn that river processes gradually create diverse habitats that support high species richness and overall biodiversity. During fieldwork, we will record river barriers, learn about their purpose and functioning, and explore their impacts on the river ecosystem. Where conditions allow, we will also demonstrate river processes—such as sediment movement—in a clear and hands‑on way.
How has the river shaped the local landscape, and how has its course changed over time as it flowed through our area? In this module, we will explore the connection between our community and the river. We will examine historical maps and floodplain charts and compare settlement patterns over time in relation to the river. We will discuss the importance of preserving floodplains and natural riparian vegetation and learn about the river as a habitat for numerous fish species. Participants will explore the life cycle of fish and of the beaver, an ecosystem engineer that significantly influences its environment. The module concludes with a reflection on how, despite human needs, we can still ensure space for the river—supported by the concept of nature‑based solutions.
In the fourth workshop, pupils and students will learn about collaborative river stewardship and take on the role of young reporters. Secondary school students, guided by their teacher, will identify local stakeholders involved in water management and independently conduct research interviews with selected participants. Primary school pupils will carry out an ethnographic interview in their home environment—a conversation with someone about their perception of rivers and our relationship with nature more broadly. The outcome of the workshop may be a classroom presentation, an article for the school or local newspaper, or even an interdisciplinary project linked to the Slovenian language curriculum or the school’s journalism club.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Two-day training for educators of the EcoAdventures programme [EVENT: 26.-27. 9. 2025]
EcoAdventures: we held four regional workshops for teachers [NEWS]
EcoAdventures inspired young researchers across Slovenia [NEWS]