The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has scheduled two training sessions for teachers who plan on starting a Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program in their school for 2010, or are interested in learning more about the program itself. The sessions will be held at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center in Oxford on April 20 and June 3, each beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Trout in the Classroom is an exciting science-based program that teaches children about the importance of coldwater conservation through a hands-on approach to learning. Schools across New Jersey receive brook trout eggs in mid-October from the Pequest State Trout Hatchery, which they hatch and raise. During that time the students monitor the water quality, learn fish biology, anatomy and much more as part of a cross-curricular, hands-on format. At the end of the school year, the fish are released into approved trout streams.

A TIC Activity Guide is also included with the program, and is correlated to NJ State Science Core Curriculum Standards at the middle school level. Because of the TIC program’s adaptability however, classes ranging from kindergarten through college levels participate in the program. More than 14,000 students throughout New Jersey enjoy participating in the Trout in the Classroom program annually.

If you would like to get involved with TIC in your classroom for the 2010 – 2011 school year - this is the time! The program does not cost a lot to initiate or to maintain - approximately $1,200.00 is needed to purchase necessary equipment - and maintenance costs average approximately $50.00 a year after startup. Tanks must be set up and running by the middle of September, so schools interested in participating in the upcoming school year need to start planning now.

For more information about the program or to register for a training session, please contact NJ Trout in the Classroom Coordinator Jessica Griglak at 908-637-4125 or by e-mail at jessica.griglak@dep.state.nj.us.