Salmon in Schools Project
A couple of years ago, Karen Johnson, a teacher at the West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science, approached the Grand Rapids Chapter of the Michigan Steelheaders asking for help. Karen had inherited the responsibility of an in-classroom salmon rearing project. While most of the equipment was on hand, some help was needed with filter, water handling, finances, and set-up.
It was the Academy's and Steelheaders' good fortune that some funds were available in our Chapter's annual budget in both educational and environmental categories. These were made available, and we volunteered to assist with materials and help as needed. As a result of Karen's efforts, the West Michigan Academy has "graduated" and released two classes of good looking smolts. (At this time, the future of the Academy is in question, however, Karen has been assured of help with a salmon program this fall).
Additionally, early this year (2000), the Green Ridge Elementary School in Comstock Park, a northern suburb of Grand Rapids requested aid in setting up a salmon program. This time, the Steelheaders were better prepared and had made a budget allowance in anticipation of expansion of the salmon in school program. As this is being written, June, 2000, the necessary aquariums and supplies have been purchased and donated to Green Ridge School. These items are the property of the school and will remain at the school even if the program is discontinued.
As salmon are a cold water fish, there is one other piece of equipment which is essential to hatching eggs and raising the fry to the smolt stage. A thermostat controlled "chiller" capable of maintaining a reasonably stable temperature of 48-55 degrees F is necessary. These are available at a moderately outrageous price. The Steelheaders will purchase and provide a chiller for the Green Ridge School program. This chiller will remain the property of the Steelheaders, the intent being that should the school drop out of the program, the chiller can be used somewhere else.
At this time, the program is being refined and defined. If everything goes well, the Grand Rapids Chapter will offer a guideline and equipment list for others wishing to have salmon in their classrooms.
An important factor for success is having a faculty member able and willing to undertake several weeks of three times a day, seven days a week, feeding and maintenance.
At West Michigan Academy, an unexpected problem was over attention during the Christmas Holidays! Everyone came in to make sure the fish were fed. It was also fun to discover how many fish had names. Not only were they named, but the students were confident they could pick out "their" fish.
If our learning experience at Green Ridge works out well, we will be able to offer a very basic guide to setting up your own program.
