The students at Linwood Howe Elementary School participate in a very unusual learning experience called “Trout In The Classroom.” The class is an environmental education program in which the children raise trout from eggs to fry.
During the school year, the students monitor the growth of the trout and learn about their habitat and ecosystems. The program culminates with releasing the trout into the wild.
“Ms. Schnauss goes to the school daily, over breaks and on weekends, to monitor tanks and feed fish. The process of raising the trout is not only time consuming, but also a real commitment. The students love it, so she makes it happen,” said parent Angela Dyborn.
It’s a team effort and includes experts from the Santa Monica Wilderness Flyfishers.
Flyfishers provide the aquarium, the chiller unit and supplies for the classroom.
Founded in Santa Monica 1965, Wilderness Fly Fishers is one of the oldest fly fishing clubs in the Los Angeles area. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to the preservation and improvement of all fishing waters.
The classroom program, initiated 18 years ago, was the brainchild of Jim Solomon. Soloman brought the program to Culver City Unified School District. It was a perfect fit for the service learning curriculum.
Service learning is a teaching philosophy and aims to broaden the student’s perspective beyond the classroom walls.
“Trout in the Classroom is taught in schools nationwide. Solomon, a lifelong fisherman, launched the program for his son’s fifth-grade class. At its peak, the program was taught at seven schools in Culver City and Santa Monica. The number has since dropped to 2 Linwood E. Howe and El Marino Language School,” said program coordinator Lisa Schnauss.
Flyfishers representatives come to the classroom and share information on the water cycle, conservation and ecology.
“I’ve been teaching trout for over 15 years. It started as a part of service learning, I use to be the district coordinator for service learning,” said Schnauss.
Last week, the students traveled to Puddingstone Reservoir in San Dimas to release their trout.
Grants from The Culver City Education Foundation and Target made the trip possible.
“I can’t let this go, its something the children remember forever. I still have students that come to visit, long after they have graduated, and tell me this, the trout was one of their favorite memories. Each year I have to fight to keep it alive. I am thankful that the CCEF and Target feel lessons like these are important,” said Schnauss.