New Jersey's Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a supplementary educational activity made possible through a partnership between the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife and the conservation group, Trout Unlimited. Teachers using the program provide a unique experience for their students and effectively teach lessons in a variety of disciplines.
Raising trout is a hands-on activity that engages students and helps to connect them to real-life water quality, fish and wildlife issues and problems...and inspires them to seek solutions. Watching fish hatch from eggs and develop from fry to fingerlings generates enthusiasm among students and helps them develop caring attitudes about fish species and their habitats. This is the first step in fostering in students a sense of stewardship for the planet.
The program encompasses not only science, but also language arts, mathematics, social studies and art. The program is easily adapted to the needs and abilities of students, and geared towards middle school students.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife supplies brook trout eggs from the Pequest Trout Hatchery at no charge to teachers who want to raise trout in their classrooms. Trout Unlimited members will assist teachers throughout the year by delivering eggs, providing in-class programs on topics related to trout, and helping with TIC release programs at the end of the year. TIC is also supported by the Ocean County Soil Conservation District and the Freehold Soil Conservation District.
Eggs are delivered in October, and during the course of the school year, students can observe the trout rearing process that culminates in stocking their brook trout into approved streams.
To get started with Trout in the Classroom for the fall, get your funding in place, order your equipment and have it set up by September 10. Once you've done that, complete the TIC participation form and submit it. For questions about TIC contact Jessica Griglak, TIC State Coordinator, at Jessica.Griglak@dep.nj.gov to register for the program.
This program must be incorporated into mainstream school programs.