Click this hyperlink to check out our GNA Trout in the Classroom Google Site!
During the 2019-2020 school year, Greater Nanticoke Area School District participated in the PA Trout in the Classroom Program, operating three aquariums to raise rainbow trout. Two tanks were up and running in the high school (Mrs. Dennis's and Mr. Stachowiak's classrooms), and another was located in the Educational Center (Ms. Schraeder's classroom).
The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR) generously donated a 72 gallon fish tank that allowed Ms. Schraeder's 8th grade Science students to raise rainbow trout from the Fall through the end of the school year. The tank came with a stand and accessories, valued at more than $2,000.
In July 2019, Robert Hughes (EPCAMR’s Executive Director) and Micheal Hewitt (EPCAMR’s Program Manager) were able to secure an original donation to EPCAMR from the former St. Michael’s School in Falls, PA, that shut down. They donated the tank through EPCAMR with the help of the Stanley Cooper Chapter of Trout Unlimited (where both of them are members). Bobby and Mike put the Trout in the Classroom tank together, getting it ready for trout eggs to arrive in early October, and offered much of their invaluable time and expertise throughout the entire school year.
In addition, Bobby and Mike set up another tank in the Life Skills Classroom for Mrs. Lori Dennis and her students. They also assisted Mr. Michael Stachowiak with a third tank setup for his high school Environmental Science students.
All of GNA's rainbow trout eggs arrived on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, prepared and shipped by the PA Fish and Boat Commission. The fry in Ms. Schraeder's tank were released on Saturday, April 25, 2020, in Harvey's Creek in West Nanticoke, PA. This creek is an approved trout stocked waterway, under the Trout Unlimited’s Trout in the Classroom (http://www.troutintheclassroom.org/) Program.
EPCAMR is continuing to work with GNA School District on several in-school programs and our future Trout in the Classroom tanks and release days.
GNASD's participation in the Trout in the Classroom program was made possible through a unique partnership between Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. This partnership, coupled with assistance from local conservation organizations, was created to introduce Pennsylvania students to coldwater resources and their importance to all communities. The partnership also provides trout eggs, trout food, technical assistance, curriculum connections, and teacher workshops each year.
We are beyond grateful to Bobby Hughes, Mike Hewitt, EPCAMR, the Stanley Cooper Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited, and the PA Fish and Boat Commission for making PA Trout in the Classroom possible at GNASD!
