Trout in the Classroom is an environmental education program that can be used in any school, in grades K-12, and applied across the curriculum. It has been a huge success so far in the schools that are involved. Basically, teachers set up an aquarium and incubate trout eggs in their classroom, under the guidance of a Trout in the Classroom coordinator (a TU member). Together, they ensure that all of the equipment has been purchased and is assembled early in the school year. The teacher and students are responsible for daily maintenance and observation of the eggs, while the coordinator is responsible for guidance and delivering the eggs and food.

The final result is an aquarium full of trout fry that are released into a trout stream during a class field trip in late May to early June. Trout in the Classroom is an extremely rewarding program for everybody involved, whether student, teacher, or mentor. The program can be set up in one school, or, as the Long Island Chapter of Trout Unlimited has done, as collaboration with many different schools. Our goal is to have the program in at least one school in every town in the Thames Valley Chapter area. This will take quite a few years to achieve and can only be reached with continued support from TU members and others in the community.

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) programs have been in place all across the country for more than 20 years. In New York, TIC was started through the efforts of the late Joan Stoliar in 1997. The program was designed specifically for teachers who want to incorporate more environmental education into their curriculum and need outside help. It gives TU members the opportunity to get involved with their local schools, while teaching young people about water quality, aquatic life, and other environmental issues.

How do I get involved? Get a teacher interested. Donate towards the cost of equipment. Become a mentor for a school near you. Share your knowledge of trout and their habitat by making a presentation to a school. These are a few of the possibilities.

This is a golden opportunity. Consider calling a teacher you know, who would like to get this strong environmental programs going in their school. There are already many Trout Unlimited members around the country who have started Trout in the Classroom projects with motivated teachers near them.

TIC has a large initial cost, but maintenance is not expensive. The chiller is the most expensive item on the list, amounting to more than half the total of the $1300 needed for a set-up. The Thames Valley Chapter, of Trout Unlimited, is seeking Sponsors to finance our Trout in the Classroom Program. If you would like to donate, mail a check to Trout Unlimited #282, P.O. Box 151, Ledyard, CT 06339. Mark your check or include a note stating that the donation is for Trout in the Classroom.

For more information contact Mike Goodwin at phone: 1-860-464-2685 or email; mgoodwin