Trout in the Classroom
Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is an educational program designed to teach students about the ecology, biology, and history of trout and other aquatic life.
Through collaboration with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (US-FWS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, and Tahoe Resource Conservation District, the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) is offering a unique opportunity for teachers and students to raise threatened Lahontan Cutthroat trout from eggs through their early life stages in their very own classroom.
The program is designed to improve teacher and student understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of aquatic ecosystems. As a positive educational tool, this hands-on, interdisciplinary project is appropriate for all grade levels and can easily be integrated into existing classroom curricula.
Students are able to observe the fish life cycle and gain an understanding of the aquatic food web. Instructors and their students set up an aquarium in their classroom, eggs are delivered under special Department of Fish and Wildlife permits, and then are observed as they hatch and begin to develop.
Our goal is to educate young people about the problems and habitat requirements facing Lahontan Cutthroat trout so that these native fish may flourish once again in the Lake Tahoe and Truckee River Watershed. The program concludes when the students release the young trout (fry) into local waterways. This enhanced educational experience instills a sense of stewardship and an opportunity to learn about the fragile environment that surrounds Lake Tahoe. Students gain an awareness and personal responsibility for aquatic environments that may lead to future involvement in other conservation programs.
For more information, contact Heather Segale at (775) 881-7562 or hmsegale@ucdavis.edu.
Training for Teachers Every March
The training is FREE and is mandatory for program participation. The training will feature:
- Background information
- How to set up and maintain your tank and eggs
- Tips and curriculum ideas from experienced Trout in the Classroom teachers
- Information from local and regional professionals about the Lahontan Cutthroat trout
- Talks by local researchers
- Permits and paperwork necessary for participation
- Equipment list and cost estimate
Trout in the Classroom Materials for the Lake Tahoe Region
- Trout in the Classroom Training Flyer
- Trout in the Classroom Training Agenda
- Program Timeline
- When will they hatch answer sheet
- Trout in the Classroom Powerpoint presentation
- Species of Lake Tahoe's Aquatic Food Web
- Lake Tahoe Aquatic Food Web, Historic
- Lake Tahoe Aquatic Food Web, Current
- Invasive Species Timeline
- Tank Set-up Video
Trout in the Classroom Facebook
For More Information
Visit the California Department of Fish & Game "Classroom Aquarium Education Program" at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/caep/ or the Nevada Department of Wildlife "Trout in the Classroom Program" at http://www.ndow.org/learn/tic/.
Funding
Funding for the 2008 through 2012 Trout in the Classroom program in the Lake Tahoe region has been provided by the State Water Resource Control Board Proposition 50 grant. Equipment funding for 2013 has been provided by the Sagebrush Chapter of Trout Unlimited. We are seeking additional funding to keep this successful program operating.