Raising Trout, Raising Awareness: Mt. View’s Hands-On Environmental Program

At Mt. View Elementary, students take part in a unique, hands-on learning experience through a long-standing partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish and Wildlife. For several years, the school has participated in a trout-raising program, welcoming rainbow trout eggs into the classroom and guiding them through the early stages of life.

The program’s primary goal is to teach students about water quality and environmental management, while also giving them the opportunity to observe the trout life cycle firsthand. Along the way, students learn about fish behavior—including the surprising fact that some trout can be quite aggressive, occasionally preying on smaller fish in the tank.

Students are responsible for maintaining the tank and caring for the fish. Each day, they test water conditions, measuring pH, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and hardness. They carefully record data and make adjustments as needed to ensure a healthy environment. Feeding schedules and water levels are also managed by the students, giving them a true sense of ownership.

“Egg Day” in October marks the beginning of the journey. After removing any nonviable eggs, students monitor the hatchlings, which emerge within a few days and initially survive on their egg sacs. As the fish grow, they are transitioned out of protective netting and into the larger tank environment.

In the spring, students release the trout at Lubber's Run. With 56 fish released last year and 33 this year, Mt. View continues to exceed expectations—making every release a meaningful success.