Miscoe Hill Middle School recently introduced a 55-gallon aquarium to the Inspired Innovation Center as part of the “Teaching with Trout” program offered through MassWildlife. From left to right, fifth-grader Navisha Jain and Lauren Lajoie, fifth grade science teacher and middle school science department chair, helped introduce the program. (Photo courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District)
MENDON — Superintendent Dr. Maureen Cohen and Principal Robin Benoit are proud to announce that a 55-gallon aquarium recently arrived at Miscoe Hill Middle School in Mendon. The aquarium is part of the “Teaching with Trout” program offered through the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), with funding from the nonprofit Mendon-Upton Education Foundation.
The aquarium is located in the Inspired Innovation Center at Miscoe Hill Middle School. On Dec. 10, it was stocked with 200 trout eggs.
Lauren Lajoie, a fifth-grade science teacher and middle school science department chair, established the aquarium and oversees the program alongside fellow fifth-grade teacher Nikoletta Karayan. Both teachers completed training from MassWildlife, which has offered the grow-and-release program to classrooms since 2013, connecting students with their local environment, teaching them about habitat health, and introducing principles of environmental conservation.
“Students from both of our classes have already learned so much about how trout spawn and what type of environment they will thrive in,” said Science Department Chair Lauren Lajoie. “It has been interesting for the students to discover new things about our lakes, streams and ponds, which our trout call home.”
Students from fifth-grade science classes helped set up the aquarium, filling it with water and equipping it with a filter, chiller, and aerator.
While observing the development of the trout eggs, students also learn how to use water chemistry test kits and thermometers to monitor water quality and temperature.
Additional science classes will participate in the “Teaching with Trout” program after the holiday break and in the spring. In the spring, all the trout will be released into local lakes and streams under MassWildlife’s permission and oversight.
“Just a week has passed by, and some of the eggs have moved onto the alevin stage,” Science Department Chair Lajoie said. “The classes are learning how to make close observations and create detailed drawings and notes. They’re learning to ask questions about what is happening and getting answers to their curiosities.”
Superintendent Dr. Cohen thanked Science Department Chair Lauren Lajoie and Teacher Nikoletta Karayan for spearheading the “Teaching with Trout” program at Miscoe Hill Middle School, MassWildlife for offering the program, and the Mendon-Upton Education Foundation for funding the project.
“This project in our Inspired Innovation Center is a great example of our district’s focus on creating deeper learning experiences that inspire our students and connect them to real-world issues,” Superintendent Dr. Cohen said. “Thank you to the Mendon-Upton Education Foundation for making this possible and to our science teachers for leading the way on this effort. Through this inspiring initiative, our young learners will be gaining a better understanding and appreciation for nature and wildlife conservation.”
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Miscoe Hill Middle School recently introduced a 55-gallon aquarium to the Inspired Innovation Center as part of the “Teaching with Trout” program offered through MassWildlife. (Photo courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District)
Miscoe Hill Middle School recently introduced a 55-gallon aquarium to the Inspired Innovation Center as part of the “Teaching with Trout” program offered through MassWildlife. Fifth-grader Daniel Trostel takes a look into the tank. (Photo courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District)
Miscoe Hill Middle School recently introduced a 55-gallon aquarium to the Inspired Innovation Center as part of the “Teaching with Trout” program offered through MassWildlife. (Photo courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District)