Fish Eggs to Fry

 

Winter Rainbow trout season is in full swing with 74 classrooms!

A record 163 classrooms participated in fall salmon rearing in 2023 in the greater Portland-Metro region!

Check out our volunteers from Egg Delivery Day (2023)

View photos from classroom aquarium (2023)

View photos from Fry Release Day (2023)


Blog stories:

Hatching a Plan for Salmon Stewardship

Delivering Schools of Salmon

Fish Eggs to Fry is Zooming into Virtual Classrooms

 

Raising Salmon Stewards in the Classroom


Through Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP), Fish Eggs to Fry brings salmon or trout eggs into 700+ Oregon classrooms for students to observe and raise, while learning about one of our state’s most significant keystone species. The Association of Northwest Steelheaders coordinate with ODFW to assist with setting up aquarium equipment, delivering eggs to classrooms, and introducing students to the importance of fish conservation.

Across the Portland metro region, students of all grade levels transform into scientists in their own classroom laboratories. Students and educators foster the development of the fish from eggs to fry, perform water quality tests, and incorporate salmon into their science, math, social studies, and even art curriculum.

Throughout this process, the children develop a personal relationship to salmon species, sparking a lifelong investment in wildlife conservation.

Northwest Steelheaders owns more than 100 of the aquariums and chillers used by local classrooms in the Portland-Metro area, and support teachers further by providing curricular resources, classroom presentations, technical support, and assistance with fry release day events in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation through Eco-Schools USA. Watch the Rearing Salmon and Eco-School Stewards video below to learn more about Fish Eggs to Fry in Oregon.

Please see a list of educational resources at the bottom of this page.

Seasonal Schedule

 
 

Interested in Bringing Fish Eggs to Fry to Your Classroom?

If you are interested in starting the Fish Eggs to Fry program at your school, begin by reading the information on ODFW’s website and contacting your region’s STEP Biologist. ODFW will be able to provide the most accurate information regarding equipment and the project timeline. The Association of Northwest Steelheaders does not currently provide schools with aquarium equipment, so the best way to get started is to contact ODFW and purchase your own equipment.

For questions regarding the Steelheader’s involvement with the program, contact Morgan Parks, NWF Regional Education Manager in Oregon, at parksm@nwf.org
Subscribe to the NWF Oregon Newsletter

Earn an Eco-Schools USA Award for your School!

The Association of Northwest Steelheaders, in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), is here to help classrooms in the Portland-Metro region expand their involvement in the Fish Eggs to Fry program. Learn more about this unique Salmon Stewards partnership in Oregon.

If you are a new or current Fish Eggs to Fry educator, your school can earn an Eco-Schools USA award for the WOW (Watersheds, Oceans, and Wetlands) pathway by participating in the Eco-Schools Salmon Stewards program! This Audit and Action Plan provides a framework for Fish Eggs to Fry activities, engages the school community, and recognizes students for their commitment to local fish and wildlife. In addition, the accompanying Appendix of Resources provides curriculum resources, field trip locations, funding resources, and more. Both documents are available as a PDF or Word document (at request). Schools working on the Audit and Action Plan may inquire about the following support: hands-on classroom presentations, assistance with release day events, step-by-step guidance, and other resources.

Contact Morgan Parks, parksm@nwf.org, for more information.

THANK YOU to our 2023-2024 funders NOAA Bay Watershed and Education Training (B-WET) and Applied Materials.

ODFW Resources

- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s STEP Education Resources
- Fish Eggs to Fry Program Overview Video
- Fish Eggs to Fry Volunteer Guide
- Fish Dissection
- Watershed Process
- Salmon Watch 2020 Introduction
- Salmon Watch 2020 Fish Biology
- Salmon Watch 2020 Water Quality
- Salmon Watch 2020 Riparian Habitat
- Salmon Watch 2020 Macroinvertebrates
- Educator’s Resource Guide for Hatching Salmon and Trout in the Classroom


Aquarium Set-up

- ODFW Fish Eggs to Fry Manual (newer version, v.2020)
- ODFW Fish Eggs to Fry Manual (older version v.2000)
- Quick Tips and Lessons Learned
- Classroom Aquarium Directions
- Standard Aquarium Classroom Set-Up Video
- Common Aquarium in Portland Area Set-Up Video
- Aquarium Set-Up with Wine Cooler Video
- Aquarium Care and Maintenance Video


Curriculum & Distance Learning Resources

- World Salmon Council – Salmon Watch Streaming (videos, virtual tours, activities)
- World Salmon Council – Salmon Watch Curriculum
- Oregon Dept. of Education - Tribal History/Shared History
- NOAA - Incredible Journey Series
- NOAA - Find a Species
- NMSF and PNCA - Life Cycle of the Pacific Salmon: 5-minute animation
- OPB PBS - Salmon Life Cycle Lesson Plans and Media
- Nature Vision Cascade Water Alliance - Remote Learning Student Packets
- Children's Clean Water Festival - List of Various Online Resources
- Environmental Learning Center (CCC) - K-12 Education (Virtual Field Trips, Livestream, Explorer Kits)
- Estuary Partnership - Watershed Unit Distance Learning Links
- ODFW - Types of Salmon
- USFWS - Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Coloring Book
- USFWS - Pacific Lamprey Experience
- USFWS - Columbia River Environmental Education: Salmon Lessons
- Environmental Science Center-Virtual Salmon Heroes
- Salmon in the Schools - Seattle


Salmon Anatomy Resources

- Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game - Salmon Dissection (Internal and External Anatomy)
- OSU/ODFW/USFWS Klamath Basin - Salmonid Anatomy and Dissection Handbook