In a unique educational initiative called “Trout in the Classroom,” students at Northeast Range, under the guidance of teacher Paul Zollinger, participated in growing rainbow trout as part of a partnership with the DNR and Trout Unlimited. Back in January, the class received over 350 trout eggs, which they diligently nurtured and fed.

Junior, Tuuli Koivisto was excited to support the area and water conservation.

Koivisto said. “I think water conservation and things like that are really important, and the process of releasing fish and conserving our environment is important,” Tuuli said. “So I feel like I get to contribute a large portion to my community.” Tuuli also had a favorite fish that she named Two-Face.

Her classmate, Ryland enjoyed watching them turn into little fish that could someday end up on his lure.

“Since we grew them up, we fed them. They have a better chance of survival and just better odds to make it,” Ryland Sandy said. This was Ryland’s first time working with a fish tank.

The project not only emphasized the importance of water conservation but also provided an opportunity for the students to contribute meaningfully to their local community by preparing the trout for release into Miners Lake in Ely.

Their teacher, Paul Zollinger got the idea from a grad school friend. His class was one of about 80 schools in the state, including Cherry are involved in this program, highlighting its limited yet impactful reach.

“It’s been great to be part of the project, and it’s been a great think to integrate into our college and the school’s classroom,” Mr. Zollinger said. ” We’re not a big school up here in Babbitt. We’re pretty small, kindergarten through 12th but even though we’re small, we have a lot of really big opportunities for our kids to access some really cool things.”

Students also benefited from field trips related to the project, which enriched their understanding of aquatic ecosystems and conservation efforts. All in all, the initiative has fostered excitement about environmental stewardship among the students, marking a significant step towards responsible conservation and community involvement.