HARDWICK – Hazen Union School has launched a new student trout hatchery club, led by advisors Chelsea Ross and Jay Modry, through the national Trout in the Classroom initiative. Students received their trout eggs from the Salisbury Fish Hatchery, delivered by volunteers with Trout Unlimited, on January 6.
The trout are currently transitioning from the alevin stage to fry. The project was made possible by a $4,600 grant from the Northeast Kingdom Fund through the Vermont Community Foundation, which funded the school’s tank and most equipment. Twelve students in the club handle daily responsibilities such as water testing, feeding, and monitoring tank health.
photo by Lisa Stinson
The club is hoping to expand their work into a broader sustainability and applied science endeavor. They are exploring plans to design and build a hydroponics system that would support food production for Hazen’s Recipe for Human Connection class, allowing fresh produce to be grown during colder months when the school’s greenhouse is inactive.
Experiential learning opportunities are central to the club. This fall, students toured the Roxbury Fish Culture Station and Ross is currently coordinating with the Lamoille County Conservation District for hands-on water-quality lessons in Eaton Brook behind the school. Club activities reinforce scientific concepts and the ongoing care of the tank, water testing, system checks and feeding routines, develops transferable skills.
photo by Lisa Stinson
While the trout hatchery currently operates as a student club, Ross emphasizes that it offers meaningful opportunities for academic credit. “Students may earn science, public speaking, or elective credits by partnering with content-area teachers and Hazen’s Flexible Pathways program to develop an Independent-Based Learning (IBL) plan,” said Ross. Long-term plans include expanding the hatchery into a full science IBL course.
The Hazen community looks forward to watching the trout and the program continue to grow in the months ahead, with a trout fingerling release into the Lamoille River watershed to come later this spring.
