Trout In The Classroom

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is one of our chapter’s most popular projects. Since 2010 we have initiated 4 TIC projects at North Buncombe High School, Asheville Middle School, Owen Middle School, and Pisgah Elementary School. At each location a classroom has been outfitted with a 40-55 gallon aquarium, a chiller to keep the water cold enough for trout, and the usual filters, pumps and other equipment necessary to keep the fish alive and in good health.

In the past we have started with hatchlings in the spring, however in September 2011 we were supplied with trout eggs by the NCWRC hatchery near Morganton. The goal of each project is to rear the young trout and then release them into a local stream in the spring. During the process children are taught about trout requirements for clean, cold water, and the overall importance of this to ecosystems and humans as well.