Date: 11/25/09
Contact: Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3500

SCHOOL KIDS AND TEACHERS GEAR UP TO RAISE TROUT

Every year since 2001, children at approximately 50 southern Nevada schools have set up aquariums in their classrooms in anticipation of receiving rainbow trout eggs they will hatch and raise as part of their class curriculum. It’s all part of the Trout in the Classroom program sponsored by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).

“Trout in the Classroom is a unique opportunity for students to get a close look at one of nature’s amazing processes. Watching the fish grow from hatchlings to fry gives students a new perspective about the life cycle,” said Ivy Santee, aquatic education coordinator for the NDOW.

The TIC program is for students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades. It is popular with teachers and principals because of its hands-on approach to science and resulting higher test scores, not only in science but in math and other disciplines as well, Santee said.

To participate in the TIC program, teachers must complete a training course in which they learn how to set up and maintain an aquarium suitable for raising trout. The next training course is scheduled for January 23. It’s at this training session that instructors receive the equipment necessary to implement the TIC program in their classes.

NDOW receives fertilized eggs from the national fish hatchery system in early February and distributes those eggs among schools participating in the TIC program. The eggs hatch in as little as five to seven days from the time they are received. And depending on water temperature, it could take as long as a month before the hatchlings start looking like fish and begin searching for food. That’s when students will have the chance to release their charges into preselected trout waters in the Las Vegas area.

In addition to the aquariums established in schools around the Las Vegas Valley, NDOW also will setup a TIC aquarium in the lobby at its Las Vegas office at 4747 Vegas Drive. The tank will be available for easy viewing and anyone can stop by to inspect development of the eggs and the subsequent stages fish go through until they develop into swim-up fry. NDOW is encouraging visitors to stop by and help predict the exact day the eggs will hatch.

The Clark County School District will also have a tank setup complete with a webcam, so classes not participating in the program can log on and view the progress of the fish.

Teachers interested in participating in this program need to register on the Trout in the Classroom website through the link at www.ndow.org. For additional information contact Ivy Santee at (702) 486-5127 x 3503.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a Federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.