Aquatic Resources in the Classroom!
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The Aquatic Resource Education Program offers various opportunities for your classroom. Each of our options provide students with a hands-on learning experience aligned with NGSS and Maryland Environmental literacy standards. All of our classroom programs aim to help connect youth to the environment and ecosystems around them and encourage a sense of community and stewardship with nature. So which one is right for you? Read below…
Sunfish and Students provides classroom teachers and outdoor/nature centers with an opportunity to raise Bluegill, a type of Sunfish. The Department of Natural Resources supplies the equipment, fish, food, a teacher’s manual and lessons. Some of the lesson topics include Bluegill anatomy, habitat characteristics, using a dichotomous key, survival of the fittest, and water quality. The program culminates with a spring release of your fish into a freshwater body of water. DNR will fund sub coverage and 50% of bus cost for the release (subject to availability).
Check out a release event!
Prince George's County students release classroom-raised fish into the local reservoir - WJLA.
For more information on how to participate in the Sunfish and Students check out the program page
https://dnr.maryland.gov/ccs/Pages/sunfish-students.aspx
Trout in the classroom provides students grades K-12 the opportunity to raise trout from eggs to fingerlings. Educators will work with the Potomac-Patuxent Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Resources Education (ARE) program. Teachers will receive tanks, chillers, trout and educational materials. Lessons are aligned with NGSS and MD Environmental literacy standards.
Topics include trout anatomy, water quality, macroinvertebrates studies, fish populations, human health and invasive species. Teachers and students will release their Trout into a state-approved cold water stream or lake. DNR will fund sub coverage and 50% of bus cost for the release (subject to availability).
Check out a release event!
Current events: Hampden students release tiny trout into Stony Run - Baltimore Sun
For more information on how to participate in Trout in the Classroom check out our program page:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/ccs/Pages/trout-in-the-classroom.aspx
Follow Maryland Trout in the Classroom on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/MarylandTIC/
The Envirothon is a fun and exciting way for high school students in grades 9-12 to learn about the natural world around us. Envirothon teams are made up of 5 students who work together to study Maryland’s natural resources over the course of the school year. All topics are very hands-on and include practical skills and the training taught by experts in each field. Topics include; Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and a fifth issue topic. Each year teams compete on a county level and then a state level competition. Winners are invited to compete nationally!
For more information on how to get involved, check out our program page:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/education/Pages/envirothon-aquatics.aspx
