Area 5th Graders Gear Up for Steelhead in the Classroom

One might say that steelhead only belong in the rivers, but the Steelhead in Classroom Program presents a unique chance for students to learn about steelhead through hands-on, interactive learning in the classroom. Students raise steelhead from eggs to the fry stage of their lifecycle in 55-gallon aquariums. Students from around the region anxiously wait for mentors to deliver eggs to their classrooms on Wednesday, March 5th. Mentors will work with students to estimate a hatch date, and will discuss the importance of steelhead to our region. Steelhead in the Classroom is successfully implemented into the 5th grade science curriculum as students are responsible for taking water quality measurements, keeping the tank clean, feeding and making detailed observations. Mentor biologists visit classrooms regularly during the 12-week program to present information on steelhead biology, research and even conduct a steelhead dissection. Lewiston's seven public elementary schools, Northwest Children's Home, McDonald Elementary and Moscow Charter school in Moscow, Troy, Lapwai Elementary, Riggins and various other small communities on the Camas prairie are participating this spring. At the end of May, over 400 students will gather at Spalding Park to release their fish into the Clearwater River. Students will have an opportunity to participate in eight stations focused on topics such as water quality, stream habitat, casting, culture, and aquatic insect identification. The final release day is intended to encapsulate what students learned through the duration of the program. Various agencies come together to make this program possible. Thanks to Dworshak National Fish Hatchery, Army Corps of Engineers, Idaho Fish and Game, Nez Perce Tribe Watershed and Fisheries, Spalding Nez Perce National Historical Park and Nez Perce Sheriff's Posse.