TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM
The Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (RRTU) in Charlotte currently partners with 21 area schools to provide the TIC experience. The prerequisites for establishing a program are: a supportive principal, a teacher who is committed to caring for the trout tank and using it as a resource for educating students and a volunteer from RRTU who is directly involved in making the effort a success. There is a one-time partnership fee of $500 to start the program. All other costs are covered by RRTU.
Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is an environmental education program in which students in grades k – 12:
The RRTU volunteer is responsible for setting up the tank in August, delivering the trout eggs to the school in September and working with the teacher to provide optimal water quality for the fish. Students learn how to perform the tests for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. They maintain a log that describes the results of those tests and the condition of the trout on a daily basis. The teachers tailor the program to fit their curricular needs; therefore, each program is unique. There are interdisciplinary applications in science, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and fine arts. In May interested students from each school go on a field trip to either South Mountains State Park or Stone Mountain State Park to release their trout and gain first hand knowledge about what it takes for fish to survive in the wild.
The long-term goal of the TIC Program is to educate an increasingly urbanized population of youth about water quality and coldwater conservation and to reconnect them to the systems of streams, rivers and watersheds that sustain them.
- raise trout from eggs to fry
- monitor tank water quality
- engage in stream habitat study
- learn to appreciate water resources
- begin to embrace a conservation ethic
- develop an understanding of ecosystems
The RRTU volunteer is responsible for setting up the tank in August, delivering the trout eggs to the school in September and working with the teacher to provide optimal water quality for the fish. Students learn how to perform the tests for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. They maintain a log that describes the results of those tests and the condition of the trout on a daily basis. The teachers tailor the program to fit their curricular needs; therefore, each program is unique. There are interdisciplinary applications in science, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and fine arts. In May interested students from each school go on a field trip to either South Mountains State Park or Stone Mountain State Park to release their trout and gain first hand knowledge about what it takes for fish to survive in the wild.
The long-term goal of the TIC Program is to educate an increasingly urbanized population of youth about water quality and coldwater conservation and to reconnect them to the systems of streams, rivers and watersheds that sustain them.
“Creating Excitement in Education”
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What our teachers say about TIC:
"I think every school should have one of these. It's such a fun and educational program, I don't see why you wouldn't want to be a part of something so great."
- 4th Grade Teacher
"Gives me the opportunity to show the student life cycles right in front of their eyes."
- 8th Grade Science Teacher
"We incorporate math, art, writing, ...it's endless... we even started a blog so the students can blog about the fish."
- 7-8 Grade Teacher
"I think every school should have one of these. It's such a fun and educational program, I don't see why you wouldn't want to be a part of something so great."
- 4th Grade Teacher
"Gives me the opportunity to show the student life cycles right in front of their eyes."
- 8th Grade Science Teacher
"We incorporate math, art, writing, ...it's endless... we even started a blog so the students can blog about the fish."
- 7-8 Grade Teacher
For More Information, contact:
Dana Hershey
704-577-7700
hersheycd@gmail.com
Bill Thomas
704-321-4792
bill.thomas1999@gmail.com