Students from Mrs. Boersma and Mr. Hanna’s third-grade classes went to Lemery Park in Wyoming Thursday to release the salmon into Buck Creek. The salmon will hopefully make their way from Buck Creek that feeds into the Grand River and from there into Lake Michigan.
“I can’t believe how big they are now,” said one student as his fish was transferred into a plastic cup and nearly didn’t fit.
Mrs. Boersma’s class was selected to be part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Salmon in the Classroom program and received a grant from the Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation to assist with material needs. The fish have been growing in the classroom since early fall when they were delivered as eggs. Once they hatched, students watched in wonder as they developed into sac frys, with their egg sac still attached to their underbellies.
“They really didn’t do much while they were in this stage. Remember they just kind of learned to wiggle a little and eat,” said Boersma.
Eventually, the sac was absorbed, and the young salmon entered the next phase of their growth cycle called parr and then grew into smolts. Some were still in the parr stage when they were released this week, but many were already advancing to the smolt stage.
While the fish were in the classroom, students made weekly observations about how they changed and grew. They also learned about taking water samples and how to keep the water clean and healthy for the fish.
Boersma said, like her students, she has learned a lot this year about salmon, how to raise them and why they are important. “I think it’s good the students see me learning too,” she said.
Students said it was kind of sad to see their fish released. Some gave their fish names along with advice. “I think they are Tom and Jerry,” said one student. “I’ll call him Sam,” said another.
And then, with a wave from the shore, they watched their salmon swim away. The class started with 150 eggs and released 130 salmon into the creek.
Along with the release, students learned more about conservation and ways they can protect nature and the environment. They learned how they can do their part to help keep their young salmon healthy in clean water by conserving water at home, picking up garbage and trash and not polluting or littering.
Students also had a chance to learn how to cast a fishing rod. Dustin Isenhoff demonstrated how to make a cast and encouraged students to try to hit targets on the park lawn where they would catch a plastic fish.
At another station, Noah Hanna offered step-by-step instructions as he demonstrated how to tie a clinch knot and a palomar knot - both popular knots used by fishermen. Students also went on a short nature hike before having a light snack - fittingly for the day some ate Goldfish crackers or Gummy Worms.
“I’m going to miss having them in the classroom,” said one girl after they released all the salmon.
After their trip to the park, the classes visited Cherry Valley Green House where they learned more about plants and trees and why they are important for our environment. Each student also got to plant a white pine tree to take home and plant in their own yard.
The salmon in the classroom project is available to classrooms from third through 12th grades with more than 300 classrooms participating this year. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, some of the main objectives of the program are to provide students with an opportunity to participate in hands-on learning about the natural history of the Great Lakes. They also hope the program builds a connection between the students and natural resources so students will hopefully become good stewards of natural resources.