{"id":333,"date":"2020-03-20T20:49:55","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T20:49:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vttucouncil.org\/?page_id=333"},"modified":"2023-06-10T16:52:31","modified_gmt":"2023-06-10T16:52:31","slug":"about-tic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vttucouncil.org\/?page_id=333","title":{"rendered":"About Trout in the Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"
ABOUT TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM<\/strong><\/span>
\n\"\"Trout in the Classroom is an environmental education program in which students raise brook trout from eggs before releasing them in a state-approved stream.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Trout in the Classroom (TIC) began approximately 30 years ago, and each year thousands of classrooms host active TIC projects. These programs typically result from unique local collaborations among teachers, volunteers, outdoor-oriented organizations, and go<\/em>vernment agencies. Trout Unlimited, which oversees TIC in Vermont, is principal sponsor for 30% of the country\u2019s TIC programs. In many states, TIC is initiated by the fish and game department or its equivalent.<\/em><\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/div>\n
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HOW IT WORKS
\nTeachers tailor the program to fit their curricular needs. While TIC requires a focus on science, the program has marvelous interdisciplinary applications in numerous other subjects, including mathematics, social studies, language arts, technology, and fine arts. Thus, TIC can be as narrowly focused or as broadly applied as the teacher and her students want to make it.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nWith respect to science study, the essential aspects of the program are learning about early trout development, monitoring tank water chemistry, and maintaining water quality. But many programs also provide students opportunities to:<\/span><\/em>
\n*learn about trout anatomy, habitat, life cycle, and food;<\/span>
\n*study streams and how they work;<\/span>
\n*collect and classify stream insects; and<\/span>
\n*analyze stream water quality.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Through such experiences, students grow to understand ecosystems, develop an appreciation of water resources, and begin to acquire a conservation ethic.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/em>
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GRADE LEVELS<\/strong>
\nThe optimal grade level is 3rd through 6th<\/u>. <\/span>TIC works best when it is taught “across the curriculum,” that is, when teachers use TIC to foster learning in virtually all subject areas, certainly in science, mathematics, language arts, social studies, and fine art.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
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WHAT DOES IT TAKE?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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  1. a classroom tank (55-gallon is recommended), chiller, filter, aerator, water test kits, and bacterial additives (together these cost approximately $1,200)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/li>\n
  2. one or more committed teachers (given the expense and the learning that it takes to initiate the program, we don’t encourage schools to apply for TIC unless they intend to offer the program repeatedly)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/li>\n
  3. a supportive principal, including, after the first year, willing to allocate an annual supplies budget of approximately $100<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/li>\n
  4. LEARNING! <\/span>New teachers must attend a free daylong training workshop on an early November Saturday. Teachers are also expected to read\/study a 90-page TIC Manual. This<\/u> Web site and its frequent blog posts are intended to be further sources of support. As challenges arise–and they will!–teachers will need to do additional research, consult with others, and engage in problem-solving with colleagues and volunteers.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    TIME TABLE<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n