Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of a Healthy Stream

In April, we will be bringing live stream samples into your classroom filled with insects our trout would eat in the wild. We will focus on aquatic invertebrates as indicators to assess stream health. 

We will start by reviewing the life-cycles and adaptive characteristics of these insects. Students will dig though a stream sample, isolating different types of insects they find in ice cube trays with their group. 

Using a dichotomous key, students will identify insect types using the live specimens they have collected. Once they have identified insects in their stream sample, students will "score the stream" using a tool that grants higher points to pollutant intolerant insects than tolerant ones. 

This lesson introduces the idea that we can infer much about the function of a system by making scientific observations of individual components. 

Finally, students will feed a few insect larvae to the trout and see how they react! This lesson is always a student favorite!

Cannibalism happening in tanks across the region

A bigger trout digesting a smaller trout in a tank at a Union Springs classroom in 2015

It seems every year, we hear of reports of cannibalism in trout tanks across the region. Sometimes there is a suspicion that cannibalism is happening, as trout seem to be "disappearing" from the tank, and one or two trout are abnormally larger than the rest. But sometimes, students actually see a larger trout eating a smaller one in action, as they will spot a fish tail hanging from a trout's mouth. 

Trout, like many fish are cannibalistic and will likely eat smaller members of their own species. This is an example of natural selection, as some trout are better at adapting to their environment. 

When visiting schools, I always ask students for an update about what's going on in their tank, especially since they are spending a lot more time interacting with their trout aquarium than I am. One of the first things I usually hear about is the possible cannibalism happening. I often ask students why they think this is happening. Then I'll ask them which kind of trout has a greater chance of surviving in the wild, the small trout or the bigger trout that is able to eat the smaller trout?

A trout that has moved beyond small, dried up fish food and is able to capture live, moving fish in their environment indicates smarter, faster, more agile behaviors. Wouldn't a fish displaying these behaviors have a better chance of fighting off future predators like bigger fish, otters and birds of prey?

An angler in Strawberry Reservoir in Utah found a partially digested fish in the mouth of a cutthroat trout. Brett Prettyman/Trout Unlimited 

 

March: A time to think about clean water and individual actions

Spring is just around the corner! Which has us thinking about the upcoming trout releases. And as we begin planning for the releases, one building block to the student's Trout in the Classroom experience is understanding the importance of caring for the trout's environment once they are swimming in local streams. Which is what this month's Watershed Pollution Prevention lesson is all about! 

During Visit #4: Watershed Pollution Prevention, we will present on topics including water cycle and watershed so students can gain an understanding of how pollutants can enter into a watershed. Then we will look at different types of pollutants and how they can eventually be harmful to trout, the food web, and the natural ecosystem once they make their way into the water. 

Students identify pollutant actions, with a particular focus on trash, pesticides, fertilizers and ways natural landscapes can increase or decrease run-off. Once they have a good grasp of harmful pollutants, how they make their way into a watershed, and the damage they can do to aquatic life, it's time for the class to conduct their own watershed pollution survey!

Groups of students use a pollution scavenger hunt worksheet to examine their school campus for signs of pollution hazards and pollution preventers. At the end of the hunt, students score their school and its process of eliminating or adding to watershed pollution. This has led to conversations about problems students noticed in their school, or awareness of positive school behaviors. It's great to see student's brain's working to come up with solutions, or goals to continue to prevent pollutants from entering waterways.

The pollution prevention lesson is happening during a convenient month for continued education on topics related to pollution prevention and watershed awareness. March 18th is Global Recycling Day, which brings awareness to recycling as a way of protecting natural resources. This year's theme is #RecyclingHeroes. Here are some great examples of rising youth stars who's bright ideas and initiatives have made a difference in local and global recycling efforts. 

As we visit 20+ schools in the region teaching pollution prevention, we often hear insightful ideas students have about protecting local streams from pollution. Students participating in the Trout in the Classroom program have a great opportunity to be environmental advocates in their community, as they learn trout's habitats needs and understand the importance of clean natural waterways for their trout to continue to live and thrive!

March 22 is World Water Day, which is a great time to ponder inequalities to clean and accessible water worldwide. Here are three activities put together by UN Water for school kids of all ages to learn about water conservation and peace building. Explore these concepts with your class through engaging and fun activities like art and even football! 

For a local way of engaging with conservation, students are invited to join Ithaca Fishing and Conservation Day is happening Saturday, March 23 at Boynton Middle School. The event is put on by Trout Unlimited and Discover Cayuga Lake will be there to do science activities with students.