Trout in the classroom! Discover Cayuga Lake

Since 2003, Discover Cayuga Lake, a non-profit organization based in Ithaca, NY, has been sharing a wide array of fun and fascinating hands-on learning opportunities for people of all ages–on their boat, at streams, and in classrooms. As more people get to experience life on, and in, the water, and learn about and explore Cayuga Lake, DCL hopes we become protectors of our great treasure.

Discover Cayuga Lake offers many different cruises from May-October, and Floating Classroom experiences for students on their much loved boat, the MV Teal. All of their cruises include cultural and ecological information about the lake and many of them also offer interactive activities on board that highlight certain aspects of lake life.

The activities on board are engaging and eye-opening for all ages. Astrid Jirka, DCL’s Director of Tourism and Outreach: “We want people to have a great time when they are on board, while also experiencing something new and interesting. There’s always something new to learn, and most people don’t realize the complexity of what lives in the lake. One of
things we always do on our eco-cruises is give people the chance to look at a drop of water under a microscope. There’s a whole world of living organisms living in there! People are astonished by what they find.”

During the winter DCL provides its Finger Lakes Trout in the Classroom Program. Right now, there are DCL aquariums in 20 local elementary and middle schools surrounding Lake Cayuga, and nearly 1,500 students are raising trout! DCL collects Brook and Brown Trout eggs from regional hatcheries and places them into the aquariums and the students monitor and care for them. The kids get to feed their fish all year long and observe them as they develop from eggs to small fingerlings. Teachers and DCL educators, share lessons about the lifestyle and habitat needs of their trout, which will eventually be released into local streams. Busy teachers know they can call on Discover Cayuga Lake since DCL staff are available 24/7 to assist with their aquarium needs.

Once the fish are big enough, and as the school year comes to a close in June, DCL staff organize the much anticipated and exciting release of the young trout in streams adjacent to participating schools. Astrid describes the countdown followed at each release: “Teams of two kids receive a jar with a trout, which they then carefully walk to the water’s edge. They’re given some time to get used to the idea that they will be setting their trout free into the wilderness, and some children say a special farewell, a blessing, or a prayer.”

“When everyone is lined up, the countdown begins, 5-4-3-2-1! Then the students all release their trout at the same time!
For some students it can be a little emotional. The process of raising the trout and the discussions the program has generated, really connects young people to these living beings. They really start to care, and that’s what we’re aiming for.”

“This kind of experiential learning helps our region’s children, the future protectors of our waterways, not only discover the wonder of fish (which play a key role in our lake’s healthy ecology and its future) but to develop positive relationships with the natural world.”

John Brook, a 4th grade Science Teacher in Enfield observes: “Trout In the Classroom is a remarkably engaging program where students get hands-on science experience through raising trout, participating in activities associated with trout, and making connections to the natural world. Ideally, this program sets the foundation for students to become stewards of our natural resources. As a science teacher, I know that this program has had a lasting effect on students. When students come back to visit me, whether one year, five years, or even 10 years later, one of the first questions they ask me is, ‘Do you still raise brown trout?’ When I tell them that I do, they often tell me it was the best activity they did in elementary school and one they always remember.”

This year, Discover Cayuga Lake is asking generous fans of Cayuga Lake to sponsor a classroom aquarium ($250.00). Sponsors can pick a school that they have a connection to, and will be invited to the ceremonial Trout Release. Over a dozen local businesses and individuals have already claimed an aquarium, but there are still some aquariums requiring
sponsorships this year.

Next time a loved one’s birthday, anniversary or other special occasion is on the horizon, consider gifting a Discover Cayuga Lake Trout in the Classroom aquarium in the honor of your celebrant. This unique and thoughtful gift will inspire future champions of Cayuga Lake. Contact Astrid at astrid@discovercayugalake.org if you’re interested.