Through a classroom experience of hatching fish eggs and coordinated activities, students experience first-hand the value of aquatic environments, the balance that must be met to maintain and preserve California's fisheries and aquatic habitats, and how their personal actions affect these valuable resources.
Instructors and their students set up an aquarium in the classroom, receive fish eggs under a special CDFW permit, and observe the fish as they hatch and develop. The experience may culminate in a field trip to a local stream or river where the fish are released. This is a hands-on, interdisciplinary project for grades K-12.
The Classroom Aquarium Education Program is offered statewide in partnership with regionally-based community organizations. Completion of a training workshop is required to receive eggs. Spaces are limited and teachers that are interested in joining the program should reach out to their regional coordinator to inquiry about availability.