Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a supplementary educational activity supported by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife and Trout Unlimited. Teachers using the program provide a unique experience for their students and effectively teach lessons in a variety of disciplines.
Raising trout is a hands-on activity that engages students and helps to connect them to real-life water quality, fish and wildlife issues and problems...and inspires them to seek solutions. Watching fish hatch from eggs and develop from fry to fingerlings generates enthusiasm among students and helps them develop caring attitudes about fish species and their habitats. This is the first step in fostering in students a sense of stewardship for the planet.
The program encompasses not only science, but also language arts, mathematics, social studies and art. The program is easily adapted to the needs and abilities of students, and geared towards middle and high school students. The TIC activity guide is correlated to the New Jersey Science Standards.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife supplies brook trout eggs from the Pequest Trout Hatchery at no charge to teachers who want to raise trout in their classrooms. Members of the conservation group Trout Unlimited (TU) in New Jersey have pledged to support this program through their chapters. This program is a partnership between TU, teachers, and the Division of Fish & Wildlife.
Trout Unlimited members will assist teachers in setting up the aquaria in their classrooms. This includes supplying a product list, and sources of supply. Some chapter members have expertise in aquatic insects and will work with kids on fly tying or aquatic insect identification.
Eggs are delivered in October, and during the course of the school year, students can observe the trout rearing process that culminates in stocking their brook trout into approved streams.
To get started with Trout in the Classroom, please register to attend one of our training classes. The first class will be held on May 13 at 4:30 pm at the Sparta Middle School, in Sparta, NJ. The second class will be held on May 20 at 4:30 pm at the Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin, NJ.
To register or for additional information, please call 908-637-4125 or e-mail Jessica Griglak at Jessica.Griglak@dep.state.nj.us
For more information on Trout in the Classroom, please visit our website at
http://www.njtroutintheclassroom.org/ .
