Our Mission: To Preserve, Protect, and Restore Pennsylvania's Cold Water Streams and their habitats.
About the Trout in the Classroom Start-Up Grants:
Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program was designed specifically for teachers who want to incorporate more
hands on environmental education into their curriculum and need outside help. It gives outside partnering
organizations, such as TU Chapters and Watershed Associations, the opportunity to get involved with their
local schools, while teaching kids about water quality, aquatic life, and other environmental issues.
Teachers set up an aquarium and incubate trout eggs or raise trout fry in their classroom. In general, the
teacher and students are responsible for daily maintenance and observation of the fry, while the
partnering organization is responsible for providing technical and field support as needed.
The final result is an aquarium of trout fry that is released into a state-approved body of water during a
class field trip. Trout in the Classroom is an extremely rewarding program for students, teachers, and
mentors. This program will help meet the curriculum standards addressed in the Environment and
Ecology Standards (and other Standards) as designated by the PA Department of Education. Additional
information about meeting the State Education Standards will be discussed at the training in September.
Act 48 hours are available upon request to teachers who attend the training.
A Trout in the Classroom (TIC) Grant from PA Trout will include the following:
�� Educational Package. Each grantee will receive educational and classroom curriculum
materials to use. This information will be provided at the training in September. One member
from the partnering organization and the teacher must attend the training.
�� Equipment. Each grantee will receive all of the equipment required to run your TIC Program.
However, we do require a 50 / 50 match. Approximate cost to the partnering organization is
$500. PA Fish and Boat Commission will also provide the teacher with eggs (or fry) and food.
�� Expertise. The partnering organization is expected to provide sponsorship and direct
instructional and technical support to the teacher and school. In addition, the PA Fish and Boat
Commission has a Trout in the Classroom contact to assist you with curriculum and tank
troubleshooting; Amidea Daniel – (814) 359-5127. Web resources and a TIC web forum are also
available, and will be discussed at the training in September.
�� Resources. For additional information about TIC and curricular resources, please check out the
following links:
- Trout in the Classroom Website (sponsored by National TU):
http://www.troutintheclassroom.org
- PA Fish and Boat Commission:
Educational Resource Catalog: http://www.fish.state.pa.us/education/catalog/cat0index.htm
PLAY Resources: http://www.fish.state.pa.us/education/playindex.htm
- PA Code on Academic Standards:
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/stateboard_ed/cwp/browse.asp
�� Expected Deliverables. Before applying, the organization must ensure they have an interested
school teacher, permission from the school’s principal, and have identified a state approved
stream to release the fry (not a Class A or Wilderness Trout stream). A brief summary report is
required upon completion.
For information about the grant program, please contact:
Deborah Nardone, dnardone@coldwaterheritage.org , (814) 359-5233
