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Students, teachers highlight "Salmon in the Classroom" program that brings hatchery eggs into Lodi Unified classrooms
Summary
District instructional coaches and students described a long‑running Salmon in the Classroom program that reached dozens of classrooms this year, involving local hatcheries and partners and culminating in multiple release days that engaged nearly 900 K–6 students.
Beth Fox, a K–8 science instructional coach, told the Lodi Unified board the district—s Salmon in the Classroom program uses eggs from the state hatchery for classroom observation and release, and is supported by local partners.
"This is a statewide program run by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and local community partners," Fox said, explaining participating teachers receive a packet of salmon eggs and students observe hatching and development before returning the fish to the hatchery.
Staff said 54 classrooms across grades 2 through high school participated this year, with 19 new teachers joining the effort. The program included two multi‑day learning station visits to the hatchery in the fall and six release days in spring, which staff said brought nearly 900 K–6 students to release events.
Instructional coach Liz Wright described the partnerships that support the program: "The California Department of Fish and Wildlife ... provide[s] eggs, permitting and data; the county office of education provides training; City of Lodi and City of Stockton help with sponsorships and volunteers; and organizations such as Delta Fly Fishers and East Bay MUD provide funding and volunteer support." The presenters said partners also contribute educational materials and volunteer labor for release days and training.
Teachers described classroom outcomes beyond biology. Andrea Ames of Sutherland said students maintain science journals that track salmon life stages, ask questions and build observational and writing skills. "Students really come to care about the salmon and our local waterways," she said, describing lasting engagement when students later ask about fish released months or years earlier.
Student presenter Cora McGovern described a GIS mapping project linking watershed sites to salmon life stages, noting she used ArcGIS to map locations and life‑cycle stages. "I—m very grateful to be able to share my projects with you," Cora said.
Board members asked staff to provide copies of student projects and a schedule of release events; staff said instructional coaches, transportation staff and community partners coordinate releases over a three‑month period. Several board members and staff discussed goals to expand access so "every student in the district" encounters the program at some point in their K–12 experience.
The board did not take formal action on the spotlight; presenters said they would provide materials to board members and continue coordinating with schools for future expansion.
