The Avon Grove Charter
School, located at the base of Chester County in rural southeastern Pennsylvania,
has made a commitment to actively engaging elementary students in working for positive change in the local environment. Through “Schooling with Trout,” a project which will take place throughout
the 2007-2008 school year, AGCS hopes to establish its own cross-disciplinary environmental studies track, which will enable
students to work to support watershed preservation in the region as part of their regular course of studies.
Goals of the Project
Raise fish (trout and smallmouth bass) in the classroom for introduction into the watershed under
the supervision of state and local authorities.
Organize and lead watershed clean up efforts (2 in the spring,
1 in the summer).
Witness stream restoration, dam removal and species reintroduction first-hand (through the shad reintroduction
project in northern Delaware).
Create original art for permanent public display highlighting the plight of threatened local species (such
as the brook trout) and the importance of watershed preservation/conservation.
Write to state, local and federal
lawmakers to make the case for watershed preservation / restoration.
Study aquatic animals, plants and insects and
the impact a healthy watershed has on each.
Study the natural history of the region and its watershed.
Fishy News Flash!
The Eggs have arrived! On November 28, 2007, our eggs arrived! We are now very patiently waiting for them
to develop into fingerlings. We will keep the public posted with regular postings to this website!
Our Partners:
- White Clay Creek Fly Fishers (No Website)
Our Schedule - The "Schooling with Trout" project will keep students very busy exploring
the potential of project-oriented, DISCOVERY BASED learning throughout the course of the year. Here's what's going to
happen:
Students participating in “Schooling with Trout” will:
- Raise fish (trout
and smallmouth bass) in the classroom for introduction into the watershed under the supervision of state and local authorities.
- Organize and
lead watershed clean up efforts (2 in the spring, 1 in the summer).
- Witness stream
restoration, dam removal and species reintroduction first-hand (through the shad reintroduction project in northern Delaware).
- Create original
art for permanent public display highlighting the plight of threatened local species (such as the brook trout) and the importance
of watershed preservation/conservation.
- Write to state,
local and federal lawmakers to make the case for watershed preservation / restoration.
- Study aquatic
animals, plants and insects and the impact a healthy watershed has on each.
- Study the natural
history of the region and its watershed.
Fall
2007 – All Objectives Accomplished
- Build partnerships with PA Trout Unlimited, the White Clay Creek Watershed Association, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission, Stroud Water
Research Center, White Clay
Fly Fishers, White Clay Outfitters and other private and non-profit entities and apply for the “Trout in the Classroom”
grant (accomplished).
- Select students and participating faculty for the program (accomplished).
- Purchase materials for “classroom hatchery” through the “Trout in the Classroom” initiative
and matching funds provided through the school (accomplished).
- Introduce trout eggs into the cooled, 55 gallon tank in the classroom (accomplished).
- Secure digital video production equipment to videotape the fish hatching and rearing and the stream research/cleanup
activities (accomplished).
- Create press releases for local and regional news entities describing the project and its potential to positively impact
the local watershed (accomplished).
- Provide workshops in the “art” of fly tying and fly casting.
Winter 2007-08 Objectives
- Visit Stroud
Water Research Center
to participate in the Stroud Stream Study program.
- Students research watershed issues in Pennsylvania and Delaware and write to congressmen and senators about pending legislation with watershed
preservation relevance.
- Students Study artist James Prosek artwork, conduct interview. Interview is captured on the state’s website in
pod cast format.
- Field Trip to the Brandywine River
Museum to view art of the Brandywine
River School. Have students study the changing face of the watershed throughout the region’s history.
- Students begin work of Watershed Mosaics with the school’s art teacher. Two mosaics will be completed: Brook Trout and Welcome Back Shad!
- Students study “environmental heroes” Rachel Carson, John Muir, John Bartram, James Audubon, Aldo Leopold,
and others and discuss ways of spreading the conservation message in the local community.
- Observe the “Stream Critters Go to School” presentation at AGCS (sponsored by Stroud Water Research
Center)
- Students communicate what they have learned so far through the project’s website. Student research is showcased
on the site.
Spring 2008 Objectives
- Students Clean Up the White Clay
Creek
- Students Clean Up the Brandywine Creek/River.
- Students Release trout into the White Clay Creek.
- Smallmouth Bass Rearing Begins
- Aquatic Plant and Insect study in White Clay Creek
- Visit state and national legislators at the capital to present them with watershed conservation portfolios created
by the students.
- Guided canoe Voyage down the Brandywine Creek
- Student watercolors and the two mosaics are displayed at the annual “AGCS Arts Fest” in May -- local press are invited through student-created press releases.
Summer 2008 Objectives
- Release of Smallmouth Bass into the Brandywine River below Chadds Ford.
- Teachers will attend watershed education programs designed for elementary school teachers at Stroud Water Research
Center.
- Recruitment of other schools in region to participate in the project for the 2008-09 school year.
