CHARLOTTE — This school year St. Patrick School students have been participating in the Trout in the Classroom program through the Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Students cared for 150 rainbow trout eggs starting last September, and after the eggs hatched in October students transferred them to a 55-gallon tank to monitor their growth and development.
The fish team, comprised of fourth- and fifth-graders, were responsible for conducting water quality tests and feeding. Twice weekly they were also responsible for changing the water in the tank.
The fish thrived, quickly crowding the tank, so the school gave 25 of the fish to J.T. Montessori School in Charlotte. The fish team kept in touch with the other school and the 25 fish were released on April 25.
On May 15, the fish team and all of the fourth- and fifth- grade classes traveled to South Mountain State Park where they were able to get in the water and release 46 healthy rainbow trout, including one that the students had named “Tiny” after it survived a rocky start in the hatchery to grow up and thrive despite being smaller than the other fish.
Students also learned about cold water conservation and how to care for fish along with other wildlife in North Carolina.
— Angie Noonan