TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM

What is Trout in the Classroom?

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a program where over a semester, teachers and students raise trout from eggs and release them into local waterways. Classrooms become a place to explore the life cycle of trout, water quality and conservation. Teachers use a customizable interdisciplinary curriculum to fit their students' grade levels and interests. Trout Unlimited and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department collaboratively work with educators to provide them with trout eggs, curriculum and support.

Why Trout in the Classroom?

• Trout in the Classroom is an opportunity to engage students in hands-on STEM activities that expose students to their natural environment and STEM careers
• TIC is a turnkey program that educators can easily implement in the classroom and TIC provides trouble-shooting, an online community, and manuals to support educators
• TIC is currently active in 33 states across the country, and over 100,000 students participate in the program annually

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NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

What is National Archery in the Schools Program?

National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is an in-school archery curriculum that teaches international-style target archery. Schools receive everything needed to create an indoor archery range and educators are certified to teach the curriculum safely. Educators and conservation professionals developed the curriculum to focus on safety and conservation principles.

Why National Archery in the Schools Program?

• Annually, 1.3 million students participate in NASP programs in 8,891 schools
• 40% of participants are more engaged in the classroom
• 58% of students feel more connected to their school
• 91% of participants pursue other outdoor activities
• NASP equipment is highly standardized and designed to be safe, durable and have universal fit for every student
• NASP can grow into a competitive sport with regional and national tournaments

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HUNTER EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

What is Hunter Education?

Hunter Education (HE) is a legal certification required to hunt with a firearm in Wyoming, most other states, and many countries. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department facilitates all hunter education for the state of Wyoming. It is a 12-18 hour curriculum that includes hunter responsibility and ethics, wildlife conservation and management, firearm safety, wildlife identification, outdoor safety, Wyoming Game and Fish rules and regulations and more.

Why Hunter Education?

• Learn to be safe and ethical hunters
• Respect and safely handle firearms, decreasing firearm related injuries and accidents
• Gain an understanding of how hunting is a wildlife management strategy that also sources food
• Identify how participation in hunting impacts the conservation of land and other natural resources
• Safely explore the outdoors, gaining skills to respectfully observe wildlife in their habitats

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CONSERVATION CRATES

What are Conservation Crates?

Conservation Crates are boxes of educational supplies. These boxes are designed to make teaching conservation topics more accessible for educators. Conservation Crates include lesson plans for all grade levels and the materials to implement them. Educators across the state are encouraged to borrow these crates and utilize WGFD-approved lessons within their classrooms. Conservation Crates are available at all regional Game and Fish offices, statewide.

What Topics do they Cover?

Migration & Habitat: Lessons included in this crate will emphasize the essential components of a habitat, how wildlife of all sizes depend on their environment’s health, and how wildlife interact with their environment.

Management Models:  The environment, all wildlife, and humans are interconnected and dependent on each other. Lessons included demonstrate the relationships between wildlife and their habitat, wildlife and other wildlife, and wildlife with humans.

Invasive Species and Diseases: Lessons explain invasive species and diseases’ impacts on wildlife populations and the environment. Topics include Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), aquatic invasive species, and the Black-Footed Ferret story.

Animal Adaptations: Wildlife has changed physically, behaviorally, and physiologically to better suit and thrive within their environment. Lessons demonstrate the importance of adaptations for critters in all environments.

Bear ID & Safety: Wyoming is home to large bear populations. Lessons provide opportunities for bear identification, bear spray demonstrations, and home preparations to prevent bear interactions. 

Pelts & Skulls: This crate has native wildlife pelts and skulls. The facilitator may use these materials in their manner. However, two optional lessons that emphasize predator-prey relationships and skull classification are included.