Norwood Trout in the Classroom

Norwood 5th Grade Girl Scout Troop 596 is working very hard to earn their bronze award.   To earn the award, the scouts must give back to our community.  

The 5th Grade Girl Scout Troop #596 has brought to Norwood School a program called “Trout in the Classroom”.  This program, started by Trout Unlimited, is designed to teach cold water conservation and  maintaining a healthy and safe environment by raising brook trout in the classroom from eggs.  Within a seven month period the students will watch the trout grow from eggs to fry and learn lessons in math, science, art and language.   Sometime in April of 2013 the baby trout will be released in local waters approved by NJ fish and wildlife. 

What is Trout in the Classroom (TIC)?

Trout in the Classroom is a science-based program that teaches children about the importance of coldwater conservation through a hands-on approach to learning. Through the process of raising brook trout from eggs to fingerlings, the size they are at release time, students learn about the importance of clean, cold water, not only for the brook trout they are raising, but also for the other organisms, including people.

The Trout in the Classroom program began in New Jersey in 1991 and was known as the Brook Trout Bunch. There was one school participating in the program at the time. The Brook Trout Bunch ran for a few years, until the teacher coordinating the program moved. During the time that the program was active, the students successfully lobbied to have the brook trout named as New Jersey’s state fish.

The TIC program in NJ is comprised mainly of volunteers from Trout Unlimited. They take time off from their jobs, time away from family, time away from fishing to help with this program.

Please go to New Jersey Trout in the Classroom for more information.