Nevada Department of Wildlife

Trout in the Classroom Project

• What is it?
  Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is an educational program tied to the curricula for 4th through 6th grades to teach students about the science, art, recreation and other values of fish and aquatic life.
  
  
• Some background:
  TIC was started in Nevada by Ron and Ann Privrasky through the Truckee River Fly Fishers. This group of dedicated anglers, raised funds and worked with teachers and Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) biologists to place tanks in 30 schools across northern Nevada. NDOW officially took over responsibility for the TIC program in January, 2001.
  
  
• How does it work?
  NDOW provides an aquarium-chiller combination (est. value, $1,000 per tank). You only need to apply once for the program, but must apply each year for rainbow trout eggs. Training is mandatory for new teachers, optional for second year and beyond. You may recruit a volunteer who will act as a "tank buddy," or have one assigned at the training.
  
  After the training, you will need to help the students set up and operate the tanks so that they are sure the incubator (aquarium-chiller), is set up and operating properly. This should be done at least two weeks prior to the delivery of eggs. If there are problems which can not be readily solved, contact the regional Angler Education coordinator for help.
  
  By mid-February, eggs arrive from the hatchery and are picked up by the tank buddies from a central point. Training and delivery dates vary for different parts of the state. Southern Nevada teachers may receive eggs in November. Check with your regional Angler Education coordinator, or the TIC web page in the Fisheries section of www.nevadadivisionofwildlife.org, for delivery times and dates in your area.
  
  When the eggs arrive, supervised students will put the eggs in the tank. For the next six weeks or so, students will make observations, adjustments and care for the incubator until the eggs hatch and fry are released. Everything teachers need to know about the maintenance of the tank and the fish will be explained in the training and outlined in the following pages for their reference.
  
  
• Who is it for?
  TIC is perfect for 5th grade. Activities include: science and art projects, journaling, measuring, math skills, visual and language arts. TIC crosses all scholastic disciplines and results in stronger understanding of math, science and social studies. The enthusiasm of students and teachers involved in TIC is manifest in the amazing variety and number of activities and projects. Not only are teachers using TIC in the classroom, sometimes whole schools and even communities turn out for the release. Some have made release day a "mini-Earth Day," with educational booths, field projects, river clean-up and more. This Curriculum Guide has some of the basic projects and activities that teachers use in TIC. The TIC web page on www.ndow.org, has many more examples and links to other TIC sites that are just full of clever and innovative ideas.
  
  
• Note:
  The eggs and trout in TIC are not for stocking or restoration.
  
  The trout eggs and fish release are permitted only for educational purposes.