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Third-graders raise salmon in classroom; release planned May 6
Summary
A third-grade teacher and students at Schoolcraft Elementary presented a project-based-learning salmon program run through the state DNR. About 50 eggs were introduced in November; roughly 20 fish remain. Students tracked water quality, maintained journals and will release the fish May 6; the class maintains a blog at salmonsquad.blog.
At the Waterford School District Board of Education meeting, third-grade teacher Ashley Back of Schoolcraft Elementary and several of her students described a project-based learning unit in which the class raised salmon from eggs provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Back told the board she applied for the DNR classroom program, set up and cycled a tank, and raised about 50 eggs beginning in November.
The students said they monitored water quality to keep ammonia low and temperature near 52 degrees, removed nonviable eggs and recorded observations in class journals. Back told the board students used virtual DNR field trips and local hatchery tours as part of the curriculum. "We're going to be scooping fish in a bucket. We're gonna get in the river and release them," Back said, describing planned logistics for the release.
The classroom lost some fish during development; students and Back reported roughly 20 fish remain from the original batch of about 50 eggs. Pupils described observing inherited traits affecting survival and identifying nonviable eggs during early stages. The class created videos and a blog, salmonsquad.blog, to document the project; Back said she will share the video with the board after the meeting.
Back and the students invited the public to a release on May 6; the release location was still being finalized and will be published to the class contact backa01@wsdmi.org. Board members praised the hands-on learning and encouraged the teacher to share photos and the release details with the district for broader community engagement.
The presentation was delivered as an information item; no district action was required or taken at the meeting.
