Shad in the Classroom

If you are teacher looking to dive into the Shad in the Classroom Project you are starting on a wonderful adventure that you and your students should enjoy. If you are a student participating in this project, you are embarking on an adventure that will allow you to participate in activities just like a real fisheries biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Whether you release one American shad fry or 1,000 your students will have hands-on activities that will help them learn about food webs, river basins, mapping activities, water quality, and river flow rates. There are several extension activities where students can expand their learning and earn a certificate, or find their ecological footprint.

The American shad is a migratory fish that used to be prevalent in all river systems in North Carolina. The fish spawns in freshwaters and lives most of its life in the ocean. As you will learn, it is a very important part of the food chain in North Carolina. And, American shad played a significant role in the survival of the indigenous people, and the first settlers to the New World.

Applications for the Shad in the Classroom are available in the fall. Please contact Melissa Dowland (melissa.dowland@naturalsciences.org or 919.707.9898) if you are interested in applying to be a  part of this program.

The Museum was recognized with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Regional Director’s Conservation Award for its role in the program. Award Press Release

Raising American Shad in your classroom

• What Is It - A description of the program including provided materials and required commitment
• Checklist - A checklist to step you through the entire Shad in the Classroom project (Word document)
• Step by Step Setup Instructions - information on how to set up your tank and prepare for the arrival of your shad (Word document)
• Shad Tank Assembly Manual - pictorial guide showing how to construct your shad tank (PDF)
• Daily Responsibilities - what to do each day to maintain water quality for your shad eggs and fry (Word document)
• Water Quality Targets and Daily Log - chart for recording water quality data (Word document)
• Tank Troubleshooting Guide - what to do if you have problems with your tank (Word document)
• How to Add Shad Eggs to Your Tank - information on acclimating shad eggs to the tank and on sorting live from dead eggs (Word document)
• Sorting the Eggs - instructions on removing dead/decaying eggs from your tank (Word document)
• Releasing the Fry - information on proper procedure for transporting your fry to the river and releasing them (Word document)
• Tank Parts List - inventory of all the pieces and parts you'll need to raise shad (Word document)
• Storing the Tank - instructions on the proper storage of your shad tank (Word document)
• Shad Tank Label - printable sheet to use in labeling your shad tank (Word document)

Videos

Right-click (control-click on Mac) to download movie files. Please note: some files are large and downloading may take a few minutes.

Shad in the Classroom Overview

This video provides an overview of the program.

• HD Version
• Small Screen

Build the Tank

This video provides information on how to construct a shad hatchery tank.

• HD Version
• Small Screen