Trout in the Classroom
Trout in the Classroom is an opportunity to engage students in hands-on STEM activities, exposing them to their natural environment and conservation careers.
What is Trout in the Classroom?
Trout in the Classroom (TIC) introduces students to the concepts of ecology, population biology, water quality, fish anatomy and conservation. During a TIC program, teachers and students raise trout from eggs to fingerling in their classroom. Trout Unlimited and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department work with educators to provide them with trout eggs, curriculum, and support. The curriculum is designed to meet Wyoming science education standards and provide students with STEM experience. TIC is ideal for students in 5th to 8th grade. During this program, Wyoming students will:
- Monitor tank water quality and learn about water systems
- Learn about fish biology and physiology
- Grow an appreciation for aquatic habitats and learn about ecosystems
- Develop conservation ethics
Each teacher can tailor the program to fit their curriculum needs. Trout Unlimited provides a set of interdisciplinary lesson plans that can be used to fit a variety of learning standards and learning styles.
Applications for the program are currently closed. Tap the button below to access the interest form.
How does a school get involved?
- Seek approval from your school administration.
- Contact the TIC State Coordinator at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD).
- Order your equipment and eggs.
- Review the curriculum provided for you by TIC and the WGFD.
- Receive your equipment and eggs.
- Start raising trout in your classroom!
Costs of equipment
- Trout in the Classroom initial equipment costs $1,500 per classroom set.
- The annual cost of the program is approximately $200 per classroom.
- Grants will be available for participating classrooms.
Additional details
- The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will provide the eggs to participating schools.
- WY Trout in the Classroom provides written manuals and video tutorials on how to set up and care for the tanks.
- WY Trout in the Classroom facilitates an online community with tank and fish health troubleshooting.
Learn more about the program at the national TIC website.
Wyoming TIC Handbook
The Wyoming Handbook is a guide to TIC in Wyoming. It was developed in collaboration with Trout Unlimited.
Trout in the Classroom Website
Trout Unlimited's Trout in the Classroom website provides guides and lesson plans for teachers.
TIC Interest Form
If you want to learn more about how your school can get involved and receive equipment grants, please complete the interest form.
In Wyoming, Trout in the Classroom is a collaboration between Trout Unlimited, the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. National Trout Unlimited provides technical expertise, Wyoming TU Council supports equipment funding, and local TU chapter leaders/volunteers will participate in conservation presentations to TIC students.
Trout in the Classroom frequently asked questions
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You may apply for the Trout in the Classroom grants while applying to participate in the program. The grant application is simply a checklist you complete by indicating what materials you need to participate in the program; the only criterion is that you cannot fund the necessary equipment on your own. You will not handle the money; however, you will be given equipment funded by grants. You will also find it within the Trout in the Classroom application.
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If you are selected to receive the grant, you are not expected to report on it formally. However, the Wyoming Trout in the Classroom coordinator will periodically contact you to see how the program is going for your classroom and handle reporting accordingly on the backend.
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The entire tank and filter setup is roughly 6 feet long and 4 feet tall.
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October
Attend orientation on Oct. 24th
November
Receive your equipment for the program. Assemble your tank setup and begin pre-cycling or prepping water within your tank for the trout eggs.
December
Continue pre-cycling your water and review the curriculum from the WGFD and TU so you feel prepared for the upcoming semester.
January
Receive your eggs!
February through April
Watch the trout grow and lead aquatic education lessons within your classroom.
May
Release your fish on the date you select within the application (or euthanize if you choose to do so).
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Classrooms are expected to routinely complete water changes, clean tank filters, feed fish and complete water quality testing. Water quality testing must happen a few times a week, and water changes and filter cleaning can happen a few times a month. These processes may take longer to complete at the beginning of the semester, but as you get a routine, it should go more smoothly and take less time. You may refer to Trout Unlimited’s maintenance checklist for more information.
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Your trout must be fed daily, typically in the morning. In the early stages, you will feed your fish just a pinch of food as they grow larger; however, you will feed the fish one to two teaspoons of food a day.
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This program is meant for teachers searching for hands-on environmental education in their curriculum. Trout in the Classroom connects students with a resource and engages them in topics they may typically never feel confident talking about, like watersheds and fish biology. Students participate in active observation and inquiry, understand responsibility and caring for a resource, and are introduced to outdoor careers they may strive for.
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The greatest difference between Trout in the Classroom and a typical classroom fish is the opportunity to release your fish in locally, pre-approved locations. Releasing fingerling trout gives students a sense of accomplishment and stewardship for the trout they release and the location they release them within.