TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM
Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a hands-on environmental education program in which students grades K - 12:
RRTU volunteers set up 55-gallon tanks in August, deliver trout eggs to the schools in September and work with the teachers to provide optimal water quality at 55 degrees F for the fish. Students learn how to perform tests for pH, ammonia, nitrate and nitrates., maintaining logs that chronicle the results of those tests and the condition of the trout on a daily basis. The teachers tailor the program to fit their curricular requirements: therefore, each program is unique. In May interested students from each school go on field trips to either South Mountains State Park of Stone Mountain State Park to release their fish and gain first-hand knowledge about what it takes for trout 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 conservation and to reconnect them to the systems of streams, rivers and watersheds that sustain us all.
- Raise trout from eggs to fingerlings
- 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
RRTU volunteers set up 55-gallon tanks in August, deliver trout eggs to the schools in September and work with the teachers to provide optimal water quality at 55 degrees F for the fish. Students learn how to perform tests for pH, ammonia, nitrate and nitrates., maintaining logs that chronicle the results of those tests and the condition of the trout on a daily basis. The teachers tailor the program to fit their curricular requirements: therefore, each program is unique. In May interested students from each school go on field trips to either South Mountains State Park of Stone Mountain State Park to release their fish and gain first-hand knowledge about what it takes for trout 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 conservation and to reconnect them to the systems of streams, rivers and watersheds that sustain us all.
TIC Update 2023
The TIC Program has rebounded from the Covid shutdown to partner with 22 schools in the Charlotte, Fort Mill, Gastonia, Lincolnton, Concord and Davidson area.
TIC Schools for 2022-23
6 Private Schools
16 Public Schools
- 6 Title I Schools
- 3 Charter Schools
- 7 Regular Public Schools
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10 Lower Schools
9 Middle Schools
3 Upper Schools
6 Private Schools
16 Public Schools
- 6 Title I Schools
- 3 Charter Schools
- 7 Regular Public Schools
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10 Lower Schools
9 Middle Schools
3 Upper Schools
Basics of Water Quality |
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
[email protected]
Bill Thomas
704-321-4792
[email protected]
Charlie Campbell
704-689-3196
[email protected]