Late last week, a bus load of 5th and 6th graders from The Dorset School went on a short journey to the Mettawee River in Dorset. They were joined by their teachers, some fearless parent chaperones, and 45 baby brook trout. At the end of the day, all the humans returned to school. The “brookies,” as they are affectionately known, swam off into their own future.
Since January, these TDS students raised their fish from an egg to a young fry in the aptly named Trout in the Classroom program. The scheme is a potpourri of learning: trout life cycles, anatomy, math, science, data analysis, and researching answers to endless questions, such as:
What are the macro-invertebrates that trout eat?
What is the safe water ph level and temperature for trout?
How are brook trout important environmental indicators of stream health?
Along the way, students recorded journals, fed the young brook trout, monitored and cleaned the fish tank, and basically did whatever it took to keep their brood alive. The grand finale was the “Trout Release Day” when the baby trout were taken to and then gently lowered into the Mettawee River.
“Trout in the Classroom is a Dorset tradition that is an integral part of the 5th grade experience,” says TDS science teacher Karli Love. “The program fosters student engagement, and cross-cutting science concepts. Seeing the kids take ownership of their learning and responsibility for raising and caring for the Brook Trout is truly amazing."
(Photo above: Fifth and sixth graders set up a water testing station to confirm safe ph levels, water temperature, and stream velocity.)
Students using nets in the river to “Catch the Critters” and make sure there is healthy food available for the baby trout.
TDS scientist Ava Coffey claimed the title of Queen of the Caddisflies by discovering larvae that serve as food for brook trout.
TDS students at the “Trout-ku” circle write odes to fish using the Japanese Haiku format.
A discovery of eyed fish eggs provided another indication that the Mettawee River was ready to accept the TDS baby trout.