{Spotlight Page Header} In the Spotlight

 

 

 

 

 

Teachers, how would you like an aquarium full of trout fry in your classroom for your students to feed, care for and learn about?

 

{Picture of Students Tending Trout in Classroom Tank}

 

Well, Connecticut Trout Unlimited Chapters are offering such a program to Connecticut schools K-12, and you can take advantage of it just for the asking.

 

Trout Unlimited, with the financial assistance of Trout Unlimited members, civic groups, PTAs, business leaders and private individuals, arranges for all of the equipment, curriculum materials, training and assistance. Some fund raising may be necessary depending on available support at the time.

 

{Classroom Meetinag with TIC Coordinator Before Eggs Arrive}

 

A specially equipped aquarium is set up in the early fall. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection gracefully furnishes fertilized eggs and feed. TU volunteers provide training and assistance to teachers who wish to present the course.

 

{Picture of a Chilled Aquarium in the Classroom}

 

Teachers set up an aquarium and incubate trout eggs in their classroom with the help of a Trout in the Classroom coordinator (a TU member). Together, they ensure that all of the equipment has been purchased and is assembled by September. In general the teacher and students are responsible for daily maintenance and observation of the eggs, while the coordinator is responsible for obtaining permits, delivering the eggs, and arranging for one or more TU TIC volunteers to serve as mentors.

 

{Picture of Trout Eggs in Classroom Tank}

{Picture of Trout Hatchlings in Classroom Tank}

 

{PIcture of Trout Fungerlings in Classroom Tank}

 

 

At the end of the program in spring, the final result is an aquarium full of trout fry (juvenile fish) that are released into a state-approved body of water during a class field trip in late April to early June.

 

{Picture of Students REleasing Trout into Stream}

{Picture of Students Preparing to Release Trout into Stream}

 

{Picture of Stream with Students Releasing Trout}

 

Trout in the Classroom is an extremely rewarding program for students, teachers and mentors. The program can be set up in one school or in collaboration with different schools.

 

 

 

 

 

{Cartoon Drawing of a Trout as a Teacher in a Classroom}