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Trout in Triadelphia Classrooms

by
Bill Whorton

The eggs have arrived and the Trout Patrol has sprung into action at Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School in Howard County, Maryland. Trout in the Classroom is an exciting example of how environmental literacy and stewardship can be incorporated into a classroom setting. In Maryland, the Potomac-Patuxent Chapter of Trout Unlimited and DNR sponsor the program.

At Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School, fourth grade children volunteer to participate in the Trout Patrol and to work under my guidance to raise the trout through a series of hands-on activities. These activities include testing water quality, feeding, and measuring trout growth and development. In addition, children research and learn about the trout life cycle and how trout are great indicators of water pollution levels. Learning also revolves around topics such as the local watershed, ecosystems, preservation and the enhancement of natural resources, and protection of the environment.

A week after receiving the eggs, the Triadelphia Ridge Trout Patrol students eagerly observed the hatching of the trout eggs into alevin, newly hatched fish still attached to the egg sac, and are excited to watch the continued growth and development as they evolve into fry and fingerlings. In the springtime, the students will attend a field trip to release the trout into a local stream.

Although the Trout in the Classroom Program involves some specialized equipment, many teachers, including myself, acquire a grant to fund the purchases. I applied and received a wonderful grant from the NEA Green Across America Grant Program sponsored by Target. Trout in the Classroom provides plenty of support and guidance to new teachers, such as myself in tank set-up and in ways to work with children in the classroom to make the program a worthwhile and meaningful environmental experience. Go Fish!

Are you interested in starting a trout in the classroom program? Check out the Trout in the Classroom program in your state!