On September 12th and September 14th, 2023, as part of the 2nd training session for teachers and professional staff at the France Prešeren Gymnasium, an event called “Science Day” was held for the 2nd-year general high school students. The activities took place in the Kokra River Canyon and the Kranj Underground Tunnels.

The students were investigating, in their chemistry class, whether swimming in the Kokra River is safe from a water pollution perspective. They conducted quick tests to perform chemical analyses of water for specific parameters that affect water quality. They also gathered some data from the literature. Additionally, they performed basic chemical analyses of soil samples collected from the riverbanks and explained the differences between the obtained parameter values in water and soil.

In biology, the students conducted research on the ecology of the olm, a cave-dwelling salamander. In the Kranj underground tunnels, they had a guided tour of the SOS Proteus Center, where they learned about the biological water quality, conservation efforts for the olm, and its endangered status. The emphasis was on the vulnerability of karst groundwater, which supplies water to as much as 75% of Europeans. They concluded by noting that we practically share drinking water with the olm.

In physics, the students studied the Kokra River’s flow. They measured and sketched the river’s profile and calculated the cross-sectional area. They determined the average water flow velocity and calculated the volumetric and mass flow rates of the Kokra River from the measurements. They also measured the water temperature. The students excelled in all these activities and documented their analyses, measurements, and observations in reports.

To ensure the students didn’t get wet, the Fire Department of Britof and the Fish Farm Vodomec from Zalog provided assistance with their equipment.

In addition to the students, the activities also involved teachers of natural science subjects (chemistry, biology, physics), lab assistants, and external instructors. There was a genuine interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange of experiences in the outdoor classroom.

Written by: Andreja Gasser, Gimnasium France Prešeren