IOSCO COUNTY– With the help of the Michigan Sturgeon for Tomorrow Program, Whittemore-Prescott Elementary School became 1 of 12 schools to participate in the Sturgeon in the Classroom program through the Black Lake Hatchery.
At the beginning of the school year, fourth graders at Whittemore-Prescott Elementary received a fingerling Lake Sturgeon from Sturgeon for Tomorrow and MI Department of Natural Resources that they named Stewie. They have been responsible for the care of Stewie throughout the year including daily feedings, monitoring water chemistry of the tank, and recording the weight and length of the sturgeon.
At the end of the school year, fourth grade students in Miss Johnson and Miss Rau’s classes travelled to Black River in Onaway, Michigan to release Stewie. Prior to its release, the sturgeon was chipped with a PIT tag. This tagging allows future students to stay connected to the fish since with each recapture they will be notified with the location and an update of its growth and health.
While at the Black River for the release, students met with members of the Sturgeon of Tomorrow to learn about the Sturgeon Guard program and MSU Biologists that are involved with researching the Lake Sturgeon population.
This project is a perfect example of place-based stewardship education since students are learning about their local watershed, a threatened fish species, and serving in the role of scientists in the community.
Whittemore-Prescott Elementary plans to continue this program each year with fourth grade students and the support of the Michigan Sturgeon for Tomorrow program. To learn more about the program or the Lake Sturgeon, please contact Jay Woiderski at [email protected].
