The future of 45,000 baby salmon hung in the balance as schools across Michigan abruptly closed their doors in March. The normal date for releasing fish raised as part of the DNR’s Salmon in the Classroom program is between April 15 and May 15, but the state’s coronavirus emergency required a swift change.
This year’s program included nearly 300 teachers from across the state. Each classroom raises 150 Chinook salmon, from egg to smolt – the “young adult” phase of life – followed by a spring release in an approved waterway. Students help care for the fish, while teachers use provided curriculum to teach about ecology, Great Lakes concerns, natural resources stewardship and more.
When many teachers found themselves locked out of buildings and needed to quickly, and safely, release their fish, program coordinator Tracy Page worked with other experts at the DNR to create a plan. Page said the teachers jumped into action with “care and compassion for their classroom fish friends.”
Sarah Cartwright, seventh grade science teacher at Berkley’s Norup International School in Oakland County, had just 20 minutes to get fish out of the tank.
“That was a challenge, as they usually do not like getting caught,” Cartwright said. With her two young children in tow, she met the school’s sixth grade science teacher in Rochester Hills at the Clinton River – a site approved by DNR fisheries biologists – to release Norup International School’s 114 successfully raised and healthy fish.
In many areas of the state, some teachers were able to practice social distancing and use COVID-19 cleaning protocols that allowed them to enter buildings for short periods of time to feed fish, clean tanks and record educational content for students.
“I’m so appreciative of these teachers’ ingenuity and lengths they went to in order to educate their kids and care for this living resource,” Page said. “They created virtual lessons, used our Salmon in the Classroom activities, and showcased tank cameras and Facebook Live releases.”
Most teachers are heavily involved in scheduling field trips, guiding students and other program logistics, but many never get to release a fish. This year, teacher efforts include:
Amy Henning, teacher at Freeland Elementary in Saginaw County, worked fish releases into one-on-one virtual meetings with students, so each student felt like an integral part of the classroom project.
Iron Mountain teacher Robin Marttila – with the help of his son and daughter – released his classroom’s fish in the Cedar River. “Though we missed the seventh graders who wanted to take part in the final stage of this journey … we were able to release 117 fish safely,” he said.
Scott Steensma, teacher at Onaway Service Learning in Presque Isle County, made it a family adventure with his wife and two kids, releasing fish at Ocqueoc Falls.
Page praised teachers for making the most of a challenging situation and showing a true sense of project and resource ownership. She closed out this year’s program with virtual field trips to include students in the next steps for these fish. Future virtual programs are in the works, too.
Looking ahead, 22 new teachers plan to join the program next year. Learn more about Salmon in the Classroom at Michigan.gov/SIC or contact Tracy Page at 989-277-0630.
