Discover Cayuga Lake Through Education
Trout In The Classroom
There’s so much to learn from raising trout
FLX Trout in the Classroom
From October through May, students throughout our region raise trout, right in their classrooms. Every spring, over 1300 students take field trips to local streams to release their trout fingerlings. DCL staff are there to guide students and teachers through every step of the process!
The impact of the Finger Lakes Trout in the Classroom program is far-reaching. The responsibility of caring for living creatures in a classroom setting, is a powerful experience that opens the door to engaged learning – from science and math to writing and cultural studies.
Our goal is to support life-changing classroom opportunities and engender the next generation of stewards for our planet. Just as they have learned to care for their trout in the classroom aquarium, we see students transfer that care to their newly adopted trout streams each spring.
SCROLL DOWN TO SPONSOR AN AQUARIUM!
Dear DCL, Thank you for letting our class be part of the Trout Program. I learned how to test the tank daily and enjoyed watching the brook trout grow and feeding daphnia to them. I appreciate all that you did to teach us about trout and other stuff!
Kameron, 4th grader
sponsor a trout tank!
Your $250 donation to the Cayuga Lake Community Fund will help us provide supplies and maintenance for one aquarium over the course of one school year.
You’ll get a big “Thank You” from your adopted class, and an invitation to join their trout release field trip in the spring!
Review the table of participating schools below, select any school still “seeking a sponsor”, and click the “I’m Ready to Adopt an Aquarium!” button. You will be directed to our donations page. Select “Adopt one Trout Aquarium for a Year” to make your donation. Once you enter your payment information you will be given the option to include a message. Please include your preferred aquarium at that time!
And if this isn’t the right option for you, donations at all levels are important and can be made by clicking here!
2024-2025 “FLX TrouT in the Classroom” Schools
Select the school you wish to sponsor and click on the “I’m Ready to Adopt an Aquarium” button below – it’s that easy!
| 2024-2025 Participating Schools | Grade | # of Students | Release Location | Sponsor |
| Cayuga Heights Elementary. | 4 | 56 | Salmon Creek | Sponsored by Rogues Harbor Inn! |
| Enfield Elementary | 4 | 40 | Enfield Creek | Sponsored by Nancy Metzker! |
| Belle Sherman Elementary | 5 | 60 | Six Mile Creek | Seeking a sponsor! |
| Beverly J. Martin Elementary | 4 | 30 | Fall Creek | In Honor of Tom Nolan & Larry Friesen! |
| Caroline Elementary (3 tanks) | 4 | 56 | Six Mile Creek | Sponsored in Honor of Wayne Gottlieb! (1 tank of 2) |
| Fall Creek Elementary | 4 | 40 | Fall Creek | Seeking a sponsor! |
| South Hill Elementary | 4 | 64 | Buttermilk Creek | Sponsored by Louise Mudrak! |
| Northeast Elementary | 4 | 70 | Enfield Creek | Sponsored by Caroline Marschner! |
| Dryden Elementary (2 tanks) | 5 | 120 | Virgil Creek | Seeking 2 sponsors! |
| Dryden High School (3 tanks) | 10 | 120 | Virgil Creek |
Sponsored by Alice Galper! (1 tank) Seeking 2 more sponsors! |
| Newfield Middle School | 7 | 70 | W. Br. Cayuga Inlet | Seeking a sponsor! |
| Groton Elementary | 4 | 60 | Owasco Inlet | Sponsored by John & Alejandra Peterson |
| Lehman Alternative Middle School | 7 | 60 | Enfield Creek | Seeking a sponsor! |
| Union Springs Middle School | 6 | 60 | Great Gully Creek. | Seeking a sponsor! |
| Lansing Elementary School | 4 | 100 | Salmon Creek | Seeking a sponsor! |
| Trumansburg Middle School | 6 | 70 | Taughannock Creek | Sponsored by Bet the Farm Winery! |
| South Seneca Elementary | 5 | 60 | Sheldrake Creek | Sponsored by Compton Farms! |
| Romulus High School | 10 | 30 | Taughannock Creek | Sponsored by Hosmer Winery! |
| TST BOCES “Turning Point” | 6-12 | 20 | Salmon Creek | Sponsored by Sharon Howry! |
| EA Clune Montessorri | 6-8 | 20 | Buttermilk Creek | Sponsored by Andy and Denny Lane! |
| Totals (estimated) | 1206 |
JOIN THE PROGRAM!
EDUCATORS
If you are interested in having your school or classroom participate in Trout in the Classroom, please contact us for more information. There is a fee for this program, but financial assistance via our Cayuga Lake Community Fund is available. Discover Cayuga Lake is a regional BOCES Consultant/Contractor.
VOLUNTEERS
We are always looking for classroom mentors for the Trout in the Classroom program. Whether you are an avid trout fisher, or just love the outdoors and kids, mentoring at school near your home is a great way to get involved. Contact us for more information.
SPONSORS
Help place and care for a trout tank in one of our classrooms. Please see the table below for a list of participating schools.
We’d Love to hear from you!
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607-327-LAKE/5253
1000 Allan H. Treman Park Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850
For Cruises & Charters:
discovercayuga@gmail.com
For Educational Programs:
floatingclassroo1m@gmail.com