Wetzel County students win innovation showcase and release 21 trout after classroom project

The Wetzel County Schools board meeting opened with student recognitions, including winners from the district’s EQT Innovation Showcase and a classroom trout‑rearing project that culminated in a release.

At the showcase, middle‑ and high‑school teams pitched projects that ranged from an SAT/practice‑score app to plans to revamp a local walking trail for recreation and wildlife education. Jeremy Katrick, an eighth‑grade presenter, described an app intended to help students “get higher scores on tests like the SAT” and to make the county “more attractive” to future families and employers. Judges and district staff praised the students’ use of design thinking and real‑world problem solving. A middle‑school team that focused on outdoor‑trail improvements was named the showcase grand champion and gave a short demonstration to the board.

The board also heard a detailed report on Trout in the Classroom from Lisa Kelch, a science teacher who led the county program. Kelch explained the biology and logistics of the program — maintaining tank temperature (50–55°F), monitoring pH and ammonia, and cleaning filters — and described how students acclimated and cared for the eggs and juvenile fish. “We ended up releasing 21 fish on our release day,” Kelch said, describing the trip that included a visit to the state hatchery and a release at a downstream site. Mr. Kelch later recapped the broader field trip itinerary, including a visit to Smokehole Caverns and a hike at Seneca Rocks.

District staff said the classroom projects are intended to increase experiential learning and community partnerships with groups such as Trout Unlimited and EQT Foundation. The programs also provided hands‑on science and entrepreneurial experience for participating students.

The board applauded students and staff; presenters asked the board to continue community partnerships and grant support to scale similar programs next year.