Trout in the Classroom

Eggs arrive at Waterville Valley  School on Jan. 16th
By: Raymond Kucharski

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) comes to Waterville Valley  Elementary School (WVES). The TIC program is part of the NH Fish and Game  Department Watershed Education Program (WEP) and is supported by the  Margret and H. A. Rey Center and the Pemigewasset chapter of  Trout  Unlimited (TU). Students in grades K-12 raise trout from eggs to fry,  monitor tank water quality, engage in stream habitat study, and foster an  understanding of ecosystems and watersheds. Each teacher tailors the  program to fit his or her curricular needs in science, social studies,  mathematics, language arts, fine arts, and physical education. Students  end the year by releasing their trout in a state-approved stream near the  school or within a nearby watershed.

The students at WVES are  creating an art exhibit "Fish Go to School" that will share what they  learned through the Trout in the Classroom project. Students work will be  on display from March 15-May 10 at the Margret and H.A. Rey Art Gallery in  Waterville Valley's Town Square.

Insulated Tank to keep the water close to 38 degrees Fahrenheit

Leigh Ann Reynolds from the Margret and H.A. Rey Center pours eggs into their new home

Eggs settle to the bottom of the tank

Dead eggs are removed with a turkey baster

Students hold an undeveloped trout egg

January 24th Update

The Waterville Valley Elementary School students calculated the swim-up date to be the end of April based on 38 degree water. The temperature was 42 degrees on 01/16/13. The temperature will be lowered even more to delay the fish from swimming up too soon. It would be ideal to have them swim up in early May for a June release. Once the eggs hatch TIC will be able to get a better idea of the exact stage they are at since TIC guessed they were about 47% when we received them.

The Waterville Valley Elementary School students got a close-up view of dead and live eggs through a microscope during one of their classes. The students made measurements and sketches of the brook trout eggs.