What is Trout in the Classroom?
"Trout in the Classroom" is an environmental program which helps teach young people about trout and the environment in which they live through the process of raising trout from eggs.

How does the program work?
Eggs are sent to schools by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in the fall along with trout food. The students watch them hatch into fish and care for them until spring, when the students release the fish into local streams. Students learn first hand about fish development, various areas of science and the environment, responsibility, as well as gaining a respect for living things. Environmental organizations, like SRTU, assist interested teachers/schools both with the equipment they need to get started and with various on-going supplies. At present, SRTU sponsors 6 schools in Richland and Lexington counties.

What should I know?
As in real life, the important factors are keeping the fish fed and the water clean, cold (58° - 62° F is ideal) and well oxygenated. Difficulties arise during weekends, school holidays and vacation breaks when no students may be on hand to care for the fish. Finding and enlisting caring custodial staff can go a long way toward alleviating the later trout care scheduling problems. If you have any additional TIC planning questions or questions related to water chemistry or the raising of fish in general, please feel free to contact us using the menu above.

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2022 - 2023 Updates:

Trout in the Classroom participation continues to grow.  We have introduced 3 new schools to the program this fall.  In all, 13 schools across South Carolina are engaged to raise trout from eggs to fingerlings in anticipation of an April 2023 stocking. We have school children from elementary, middle, and high schools participating this year. Lessons will range from anatomy, habitat, and water chemistry to literature and human influences on trout. Prior to the arrival of the eggs, teachers participated in educational workshops hosted by SCDNR and partners on fisheries management and fly fishing.  Eggs are being delivered in the first week of December.

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