Temecula Prep Students Learn About 'Small Fry' Fish

Elementary school students at Temecula Preparatory School check out the fish hatchery on their campus. (Photos courtesy of Temecula Preparatory School)

Students at Temecula Preparatory School of Winchester are studying the habits and growth patterns of rainbow trout through a grant from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and Supervisor Jeff Stone.

The science project, called "Small Fry to Go", is modeled after a highly acclaimed program on the East Coast. It was the U.S. Department of Education’s No. 1 science program in 2006.

The grant awarded was for $1,000 total, with $500 awarded to Temecula Prep’s rainbow trout STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) project and $500 towards a college scholarship for one of its seniors.

Two thousand eggs arrived at Temecula Preparatory School on Oct. 24. Since then, high school students in the AP Environmental course at Temecula Prep have been charting the chemical compounds, water levels, “morts” or dead fish, and presenting their findings to the elementary grade students every Friday for the past four weeks.

Students also read literature about fish and complete art projects that highlight the importance of science, water conservation and ecology. It provides a holistic educational learning experience while teaching important concepts such as water conservation and stewardship, along with the study of aquaculture.

The fish, which are in the "small fry" stage, are due to be released Friday at Lake Perris, a natural habitat for rainbow trout.