‘TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM’ PROGRAM TO ENHANCE LEARNING AT CITY SCHOOL’S MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY
Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced a ‘Trout in the Classroom’ (TIC) grant that will provide unique opportunities to nearly two-hundred 5th through 8th grade students at the Harrisburg School District’s Math and Science Academy.
Reed said the ‘Trout in the Classroom’ program is a cooperative between the PA Fish and Boat Commission, the Harrisburg School District and several local conservation organizations. TIC outfits teachers with the equipment needed to raise native brook trout and then release them in a local cold water fishery, creating a multitude of learning opportunities for students.
The Mayor said Judd Pittman, a Science Instructor at the Math and Science Academy, is the teacher that is assigned to the project. With the support of the Harrisburg School District administrators and teachers and local organizations such as the Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Math and Science Academy was awarded a $1,000.00 grant towards the program.
Reed said the program’s theme for the coming school year is "You Can’t Fool Mother Nature" and will focus on ecological, environmental and agricultural topics related to the raising of brook trout. The program will also allow students to participate in interactive student-driven learning activities focusing on such topics as native species (brook trout), local waterways (Spring Creek), local water quality issues resulting from land use, water quality assessment techniques, connectivity and civic responsibility.
"The ‘Trout in the Classroom’ program will provide students at the Math and Science Academy with a unique and hands-on learning opportunity," said Reed. "Aside from the educational topics that will be learned and discussed, the program will teach students valuable life lessons of responsibility, dedication and commitment."
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