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The Trout in the Classroom Project brings the
outside world in, literally! Students are directly involved in hatching trout eggs,
raising them into fry, and releasing them into local rivers. The eggs arrive and are
placed in a tank, carefully constructed to mimic the trout's natural habitat in as many
ways as possible. Students take responsibility for the entire project and are in
charge of feeding, care and maintenance. They also conduct various animal behavior
projects and complete a comprehensive packet of writing and inquiry activities. The
success of the program relates directly to its hands-on approach. Instead of sitting
at their desks and completing worksheet-after -worksheet of remote science principles,
students witness them first hand. They get a chance to be directly involved in
replicating an ecosystem and experience all of the challenges that it creates to make it a
viable one. Basic life and physical science concepts are modeled and explored.
There are many uses of integrated curriculum plus this has built an excellent partnership
with the Department of Fish and Game. Students continue to show a high level of
enthusiasm and attachment to the program. It is a joy to watch them dedicate and
commit themselves to such a positive learning project.
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