Small Fry to Go - Week #1; Meet the "Parents"…err Students!

I started blogging about our school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) project by sharing the experience I had in Georgia, seeing it for the first time, and imagining it at our own school, Temecula Prep. Knowing that the “Small Fry to Go (SFtG)” STEM project was recognized by the U.S. Congress and learning that no other school west of Georgia had adopted it yet made it all the more appealing!

My last blog post was about “Day One” of the project -- our surprise adventure to pick up Rainbow trout eggs from the California Fish and Wildlife hatchery up north in Fillmore. I ended it with the introduction of the eggs to their new home in the newly constructed LABitat at Temecula Preparatory School. That was Sunday, January 12, 2014.

Which brings us to the beginning of “Week One” and our new campus guests.

It was Monday, January 13th and our students would experience the LABitat for the first time. Little did they know that their school campus now had a miniature fish hatchery filled with 1200 rainbow trout eggs -- just over a 1-to-1 ratio of fish eggs to students. Thank goodness the fish eggs were much smaller!

Oh, let me explain something before I move on: when we put the eggs into the LABitat the night before, we placed them into what is called the upwelling jar or  “egg roller.” This clear plastic 6- inch cylinder is a smaller version of the Eagar egg rollers used in some large fish hatcheries. Oxygenated water is pumped into the hemispherical bottom of the egg roller which creates a lifting and spinning action to agitate the eggs.  Science geeks will recognize that the jar is crafted to use the Bernoulli principle (hyper-physics) to move the eggs so that they have a greater chance to survive. In a stream, water would tumble around the nest of eggs (called the redd) removing the unfertilized and fungus-infected eggs.  And, no, I did not know what that meant either until I saw it. But, if someone had explained that it looks like a lotto-ball roller filled with 1200 tiny salmon colored bouncing lotto balls, I would have completely understood.

Our LABitat and fish eggs were the talk of the school. All day long students from grades K-12 visited the LABitat in shifts or on breaks and Tom Schmeltzer, creator of the Small Fry to Go a STEM Alive project, was on hand from Georgia to explain the science of raising fish and of their LABitat environment.

It is important to point out that Tom is outstanding – there is a reason his project was recognized by Congress! He thoroughly enjoys the students and loves answering all of their questions; and believe me – they ask LOTS and LOTS of questions! In fact, Tom shared that the primary reason he enjoys this project is the learning that comes through the zillions of questions the students ask because it shows they are CRITICALLY THINKING. He shared with our teachers his philosophy that real science is about asking the right questions not simply obtaining the "right" answer!  I could not agree more!!

Throughout the week, Tom was there to answer questions and help our students understand that as the trout fry hatch, they have small egg sacs attached to their bodies which provide the necessary nutrients for 7-10 days, so the fish food – also supplied by the Californian Dept. of Fish and Wildlife hatchery -- is not introduced for at least a week after hatching and after the sac fry have used up their onboard "lunch bag.” In a very non-scientific way, I thought that the big bellies were much like the day or two after Thanksgiving dinner, or that time between Thanksgiving and Christmas for some.

Tom also explained that during this first week or so the fish are referred to as “alevin.” He shared that their small, beating, red hearts can be viewed through their translucent bodies and that their fins were not yet visible, but their eyes – which now looked like eyes – were piercing lenses by which they were checking out their new home and new friends. However, despite all of this growth, the trout were weak and vulnerable and needed careful attention. In nature, a great percentage of fry don't survive the alevin stage of development. In the LABitat 90% of the hatched fry survive. Tom explained to students that the LABitat is engineered to replicate a natural stream where water is oxygenated, exposed to UV light, filtered and chilled to 55 degrees.

Thankfully, we had Tom’s expertise during Week One or our first “go-around” because I would have just called the alevin “baby fish” and would have explained that some survive and some don’t which would have robbed our students of a much deeper educational experience. However, Tom was able to provide this deeper education as our students eagerly took turns viewing our new aquatic visitors. Using Google Hangouts our students will continue to have regular access to Tom, our Georgia Master Naturalist, and the SFtG network of schools and students in five states.

And, to be perfectly honest, it was incredible to watch them enter the LABitat with their mouths dropping and eyes wide open; and as they exited the LABitat, to hear their excited discussion amongst one another. 

The most encouraging part was observing the students who repeatedly visited the LABitat, even during their playtime. A young second grade girl returned over and over throughout the week to ask one question after another.  Will she be a future marine biologist? Who knows? But she is definitely a mind inspired for sure!

The Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius is quoted as saying: “Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation on life.”

After this first week of watching and listening to our students, nothing could be more accurate. They are being given the opportunity – and soaking it up – to investigate, observe, and follow a life cycle from birth to release into the wild. Their minds are being expanded and filled with real life knowledge. This is education at its best!

And, for this reason, we want to take a moment to thank all of those who donated to make this project a reality and to offer a special “Thank-you" to LEGO Children's Fund, Riverside County Board of Supervisors, and Littlefield Physical Therapy for making this extraordinary and unparalleled experience available to our students!

Scott S. Phillips, J.D.

Headmaster & Chief Executive Officer

Heritage Classical Charter Schools/Temecula Preparatory School