Southdown Second Graders Visit Fish Hatchery

Southdown Primary School second graders took a short trip to the nearby Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium for an off-site lesson last Friday.

After learning about animal habitats in the science curriculum, the second graders in Valerie Murray, Desire Lahoz, Evelyn D’Andraia, Dana Hartough and Theresa Duffy's classes were able to see aquatic habitats native to Long Island.

The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery’s mission is to operate as an environmental education center and public aquarium that continues to raise and stock trout. “We are proud to have the largest living collection of New York State freshwater reptiles, fishes and amphibians,” according to the organization. “Visitors can tour our two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds and feed the hungry trout.”

As each Southdown second grade class toured the facility, many different animals were observed and students learned how their respective habitats are important to their specific life.

“They also learned more about the life cycles of frogs, turtles and fish,” Southdown Principal Jill Amott-Erwig said. “Students were amazed at the black dots seen on the fish eggs, which were the early signs of the fish’s eyeball. Students asked important questions about the animals' habitats and life cycles.”

Near the end of the tour, students were able to feed the brook trout in huge outdoor tanks got excited when they saw the fish jumping for the food.

“Overall, it was a great culminating activity,” Ms. Amott-Erwig said.