Salmon In The Classroom

The Salmon in the Classroom educational project continues to go from strength to strength. During 2009 a total of 19 primary schools from Glengarnock Primary, Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire down to Barrhill Primary, South Ayrshire. Small rural and large urban schools participated providing an opportunity for pupils to learn about all aspects of their local river and the salmon life cycle in particular.

 

The project starts with a presentation to the class on their local rivers, including threats to wildlife such as pollution, habitat loss and overfishing. The salmon life cycle is then covered in detail including spawning, migration and the many life stage names . After advice on how to look after salmon eggs, the class is provided with an aquarium containing around 100 salmon eggs.

 

The aquaria are fitted with thermostatic coolers, to cope with high classroom temperatures and keep the water at the same temperature as the river. The coolers ensure a high survival rate and allow the children to see the development of the fish for longer before they are released. Pupils keep a daily record of the progress of the salmon and create posters on the salmon life cycle. Eggs have been supplied by local hatcheries approved by District Salmon Fishery Boards using only native salmon. Once the eggs have hatched and the yolk sac almost absorbed the children help release the fish back into their local river in the spring. The final day of the project includes a visit to the river again in summer for an electrofishing demonstration and bug-hunting. Children learn to identify different fish species and how to assess water quality by sampling river invertebrates.

 

The project has significantly expanded since 2005, when 4 schools took part. In 2009 the following primary schools have taken part; Pinwherry, Colmonell, Barr, Barrhill, Ballantrae, Straiton, Cairn (Maybole), Wellington, Ochiltree, Drongan, Mauchline, Logan, Kingcase, Monkton, Hillhead, Towerlands, Pennyburn, Corsehill, and Glengarnock.

 

We are grateful to the following funders for supporting this project in 2009. Scottish Natural Heritage, Spirit Aerosystems, East Ayrshire Council, South Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council, William Grant Educational Fund, Hadyard Hill Windfarm Community Fund and the Minerals Trust .

 

Poster by Patna Primary P5 pupils, 2007


Poster by Dalmellington P6-7 pupils, 2007


Fisherton Primary, 2006


Crosshill Primary, 2006