Trout In the Classroom

 
TIC-logo-small.jpg

What is trout in the classroom

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is an environmental education program in which students in grades k-12…

    • raise trout from eggs to fry

    • monitor tank water quality

    • engage in stream habitat study

    • learn to appreciate water resources

    • begin to foster a conservation ethic

    • grow to understand ecosystems

Most programs end the year by releasing their trout in a state-approved stream near the school or within a nearby watershed.

During the year each teacher tailors the program to fit his or her curricular needs. Therefore, each program is unique. TIC has interdisciplinary applications in science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, fine arts, and physical education.

Each tank has an initial start up cost of ~$1600.00 and requires $100- $200 dollars to maintain on a yearly basis. CVTU is committed to the mission of getting students connected to their local watersheds and providing hands-on service learning.

Students love tic

To say that students love this program would be an understatement.

From the arrival of the eggs right around Thanksgiving, to the release days in Spring, TIC kids love coming to school and checking on their fishy charges. They are fascinated by the process of hatching, watching the alevin emerge with egg sac intact. The daily hatch count is always a fantastic lesson in data collection.

As winter takes hold, fingers are crossed over the holidays and long weekends that their beloved fish survive, and grow despite of missing their carefully measured meals. Water quality and temperature are closely monitored by budding ichthyologists, anomalies reported with grave concern and troubled brows.

As the days get longer the students are often stunned when one or more of their seemingly benign “babies” evolve into a top predator – feeding on their smaller, less nimble tank mates! Each year, one or more fingerlings find themselves plopped back in the hatching basket, removed from the general population for such predatory behavior. These miscreants often become the favorites of the students, gaining an appropriate moniker like “Jaws” or “Fang”.

 

TIC Tank with Fry

TIC Tank with Chiller

Release day…

how can you help?

We are always looking for TIC volunteers – they are the backbone of this project! Here are just a few ways you can get involved…

  • Egg Delivery Day – bringing the eggs to the classroom

  • Delivering equipment and supplies

  • Troubleshooting equipment

  • Contacting the media for Trout Release events

  • Checking in with teachers

  • Being a guest speaker in a TIC classroom

  • Taking photos / helping out at release events

  • Donating goods or services to our annual banquet (our major fundraising event for TIC)

If you would like to join our cadre of dedicated volunteers that make the program a success, please email Kit Nielsen at kitandtrapperj@gmail.com.