Feb. 28, 2011
For
the last four years, William Dergosits’ fourth-grade classroom has been
host to some fishy characters.
Nestled inside an insulated aquarium, about 100 brook trout swim, eat, and teach children about lifecycles and science.
The program is a partnership with Trout Unlimited, which donates supplies and equipment, and the SUNY Cobleskill hatchery and wildlife program, which supplies the eggs and provides emergency help.
“The fish come to the school in late October/early November in the form of eggs,” Dergosits said. “They hatch in December during the alevin stage, and then develop into fry.”
While the fish are growing, the students are learning how to create and maintain the environment necessary to sustain the fish.
“We have to keep the tank very cold and insulated,” Dergosits said. “We test the water for ph levels and different chemicals that are in the water.”
The trout also illustrate the reality of science, life and experimentation. Not all projects are successful, and not all the fish survive.
“In May, we’ll probably be left with about 45 to 50,” Dergosits said.
The class has a stocking permit for Fox Creek and a private pond, where this year’s fish will join those from previous years in the wild. When released, the fish will be about three inches long. Once in the pond, they can grow up to about 18 inches.
“We keep track of the trout that were previously released,” Dergosits said. “We also do studies on microorganisms in the pond, the vegetation in it and the life forms in and around it.”
Dergosits also links these activities to social studies and real-life applications.
“We study the effects of the watershed and how brook trout were used to identify clean water for the settlers,” he said.
Dergosits said the students love having the fish in the classroom.
“It’s something different,” Dergosits said. “It
gives them a different view of the lifecycle and the idea of
sustainability.”
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