Eighth-graders across Haywood County will be in the Pigeon River next week for some hands-on learning about water quality.

Haywood Waterways Association is hosting its annual Kids in the Creek field day for all the eighth-graders in the county.

During the field trip, students learn how to evaluate water quality a variety of ways, from a survey of aquatic insects to chemistry testing. Students also discover how humans affect the quality of water in the watershed.

The field trips are held over the course of four days, with different schools on each day between Sept. 24 and 27. The public is welcome to come out and watch this learning experience. Students from Canton Middle School are scheduled Monday and Tuesday morning, and Bethel Middle School students come out on Wednesday morning. The Waynesville Middle School students will be there Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons as well as Thursday morning. Morning sessions run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and afternoon sessions from noon to 2 p.m.

This is the 10th year Haywood Waterways and the Haywood County Schools have hosted the event. Over its history, Kids in the Creek has reached over 6,300 students. Financial support for Kids in the Creek is provided by the Pigeon River Fund.

If you have any questions call Haywood Waterways at 828.452.9077 or send an email to info@haywoodwaterways.org.