State Council decided to build off the single TIC program at the Sparta Middle School and appoint a Trout In The Classroom State Coordinator to help grow the program statewide and assist the other 7 statewide chapters in their participation with TIC. Brian Cowden, then Fred Burroughs/North Jersey chapter education chair, responsible for the sole TIC program in Sparta, was asked to volunteer as a state coordinator. A goal of 3-5 new schools was established and help in getting the messagge out was sought from NJDEP Fish & Wildlife.
With help from F&W and local papers as well as TU members getting the word out, this program was able to bring in 25 new schools in the first full year as a state-wide initiative! Brian Cowden states, “The program sells itself, really. No other science based curriculum touches on the importance of cold water conservation. And the students really love watching the brook trout grow from eggs to young fish during the school year.”
