Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a relatively simple environmental education program that can be adapted across the curriculum for grades K-12. Enthusiastically received by Connecticut teachers, TIC has grown from two classrooms offering the program in school year ‘05/06 to 25 classrooms in school year ‘06/07.

Trout Unlimited, with the financial assistance of Trout Unlimited members, civic groups, PTAs, business leaders and private individuals, arranges for all of the equipment, curriculum materials, training and assistance.

A specially equipped aquarium is set up in the early fall. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection gracefully furnishes fertilized eggs and feed; TU volunteers provide training and assistance to teachers who wish to present the course.

Teachers set up an aquarium and incubate trout eggs in their classroom with the help of a Trout in the Classroom coordinator (a TU member). Together, they ensure that all of the equipment has been purchased and is assembled by September. In general the teacher and students are responsible for daily maintenance and observation of the eggs, while the coordinator is responsible for obtaining permits, delivering the eggs, and arranging for one or more TU TIC volunteers to serve as mentors.

At the end of the program in spring, the final result is an aquarium full of trout fry (juvenile fish) that are released into a state-approved body of water during a class field trip in late April to early June.

Trout in the Classroom is an extremely rewarding program for students, teachers and mentors. The program can be set up in one school or in collaboration with different schools.

What are the requirements for setting up a program?

• Interested teacher
• Permission of the school principal
• Aquarium and other related equipment

I’m interested. Please tell me more.

1) Visit www.troutintheclassroom.org

2) Download and view an Adobe Reader presentation (7.3 MB) [click here]
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3) Get in touch with your local TU chapter, or contact Ed Albrecht: albrecht_ed@yahoo.com - (203) 271-1103

Connecticut schools and towns where the program is running in 06/07 [updated 08/09 list and map coming soon], by chapter:

CANDLEWOOD VALLEY
Whisconier Middle School – Brookfield
Danbury High School – Danbury
Anna K Rockwell School – Bethel
Reed Intermediate School – Newtown
New Fairfield Middle School – New Fairfield
The Hotchkiss School – Lakeville

HAMMONASSET
Memorial Middle School- Middlefield

MIANUS
Greenwich Country Day School- Greenwich
Wilton High School - Wilton

NAUGATUCK-POMPERAUG
Memorial Middle School - Middlebury

THAMES VALLEY
Windham Middle School - Willimantic
Windham High School - Willimantic
Pine Point School - Stonington
Sayles School - Sprague
Mystic Middle School - Stonington
Integrated Day Charter School – Norwich
Kelly Middle School – Norwich
Ledyard Center School – Ledyard
Ledyard High School - Ledyard
Parish Hill High School – Chaplin
Wheeler Middle School – N. Stonington
Lillie B. Haynes School – East Lyme
East Lyme High School – East Lyme
Fitch Middle School – Groton
Fitch High School – Groton

Funded by TU chapters, PTAs, local businesses, civic groups and private individuals, Trout In the Classroom (TIC) is made possible by dedicated teachers and volunteers as well as the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.