Students are participating in an immersive, hands-on environmental science project through the Trout in the Classroom program, conducted in partnership with Trout Unlimited and WV Rivers Coalition. Throughout the year, students will take responsibility for raising rainbow trout from eggs to fingerlings inside a classroom-based cold-water aquarium.
The classroom becomes a real-world laboratory where students monitor water quality, maintain habitat conditions, and track the trout’s development through each stage of life. Using scientific tools and daily observation logs, students learn about ecosystems, trout biology, watershed health, and the importance of clean, cold water for sustaining aquatic life.
With guidance from Trout Unlimited volunteers, students explore local conservation efforts and gain a deeper understanding of West Virginia’s native streams and fisheries. The project culminates in a field experience where students release the healthy young trout into an approved waterway, directly contributing to local conservation initiatives.
Through this program, students develop skills in scientific inquiry, environmental stewardship, and teamwork while making meaningful connections between classroom learning and real-world ecological responsibility.