The Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom Program is a partnership between the PA Council of Trout Unlimited and the PA Fish & Boat Commission. Working with teachers and their program partners across the state, the PA TIC program allows students to raise rainbow trout from eggs to fingerlings in classroom aquariums before releasing them into PFBC-approved waterways each spring. Along the way, students are engaged in a variety of STREAM (Science, Technology, Recreation, Engineering, Arts, and Math) lessons and activities with a focus on coldwater conservation and stewardship. Around 40,000 students each year are reached through the program, and that number only continues to grow with the addition of new tanks each school year.

Starting a PA TIC program costs appoximately $1,500 to $2,000 per school to purchase an aquarium, chiller, filter, and supplies. There are also annual costs for replacement of water testing materials, aquarium supplies, etc. Once a school has secured the necessary equipment, participation in the program is completely FREE.

However, we need your help to ensure that every school that wants to participate can! Funds raised through this t-shirt sale will go directly back into the PA TIC program to provide grants to teachers for equipment, supplies, and field trip expenses to keep their existing programs operating. It will also be utilized to provide startup grants for teachers wishing to bring the program to their classrooms. Additionally, funding will be used to provide support and training, such as the Biannual PA TIC Summit and annual teacher trainings.

For more information about the PA TIC program, visit www.patroutintheclassroom.org.