TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM RELEASES

by Geoff Elliot, Colorado TU Youth Education Coordinator

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is one of Colorado Trout Unlimited’s flagship Stream of Engagement programs. As the primary school-based engagement opportunity within the Headwaters Youth Program, TIC provides an opportunity for school-aged youth to engage with trout, aquatic ecosystems, and watershed science in an accessible classroom environment. Through TIC, students raise trout from eggs to fingerlings in a classroom tank. Over the course of the year, students participate in hands-on learning focused on trout biology, water quality, and ecosystem science. At the end of the year, students release trout into local watersheds in partnership and coordination with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The 2020-21 school year proved to be very dynamic with schools bouncing between virtual, in-person, and hybrid learning environments. Amongst the ever-changing classroom landscape, a number of schools were still able to host the Trout in the Classroom program. This spring, several TIC sites were able to release trout into local watersheds. Releasing TIC populations offers a very exciting opportunity for students to connect with the “real-world” applications of their inschool education.

Arvada West High School took full advantage of their TIC release by coordinating a full-day of activities for students at Doghead Rail Bridge Trailhead along Clear Creek outside of Idaho Springs. The day began with a fish population survey by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Local Aquatic Biologists Paul Winkle and Tyler Swarr demonstrated how CPW conducts population surveys by electrofishing waters to sample the fish population in an area. Paul and Tyler shocked a number of fish and collected data on the species, weight, and length of each individual before safely returning the fish to Clear Creek.

From there, CPW guided Arvada West High School students through the release by first measuring the water temperature in Clear Creek and comparing to the water temperature in the coolers and buckets holding the TIC fish. It is important the water temperature is with 2-3 degrees of each other to reduce the stress on the trout upon release. Too extreme of a temperature variance can significantly impact trout survivability. After tempering the water within the coolers and buckets by slowly adding river water, students assembled into small teams and released the TIC populations into Clear Creek being sure to find slower, protected areas. Over 200 trout were release from Arvada West and Academy High School in Thornton, who were unable to conduct their own release due to COVID restrictions.

After the trout release was completed, students cycled through various educational activities including stream flow measurements with River Watch, career panels with water resource management professionals, macroinvertebrate survey with Denver Water, college exploration with Red Rocks Community College, and fly casting with Colorado Trout Unlimited volunteers from local TU chapters. Check out the story featured on 9News: This teacher kept 2 things alive this year: His students' love of science and the class trout!

Just days later, Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School conducted their own TIC release along Cheyenne Creek in Colorado Springs. Their release was featured in the Cheyenne Edition!

For more information.

To learn more about Trout in the Classroom, visit coloradotu.org/trout-in-the-classroom!

CAREER PANEL WITH CPW BIOLOGISTS

TU VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE CASTING INSTRUCTION