Center for Lakes & Streams Research Assistant, Josiah Hartman, presents an aquarium to Miss Jessie’s classroom at North Webster Elementary School. (Photo provided)

By MADISSON HEINL
Communications Specialist, Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College

WINONA LAKE — The Center for Lakes & Streams Lake in the Classroom program kicked off the 2015-2016 school year this October with a record 29 aquariums.

The Lake in the Classroom program supplies aquariums, sponsored by local organizations, to Kosciusko County classrooms, community centers, and other organizations. Each aquarium is maintained by Center for Lakes & Streams staff and contains fish species native to Indiana lakes and streams. Through this program, students and community members have the opportunity to observe native habitats and native fish and wildlife species, and learn how to take care of the county’s environment.

Aquariums were newly installed in locations such as Washington STEM Academy and Gateway Education Center. Lindsey Brander, teacher at Gateway Education Center, explained, “Having a Center for Lakes and Streams’ aquarium has proven immensely beneficial for my students … As a self-contained classroom for students with emotional disabilities, we are always looking for opportunities for our students to expand their emotional growth. Through the daily care and interaction with the fish, my students have been able to benefit from pet therapy, an opportunity not otherwise available to us.”

The Lake in the Classroom program is sponsored by Cargill, City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility, CTB-Milford, Da-Lite, the Dekko Foundation, Hand Family Foundation, Louis Dreyfus Commodities, Paragon-Pierceton, Syracuse Lake Association, The Papers Incorporated, The Watershed Foundation, Toyota, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Wawasee Property Owners Association, and Winona Lake Preservation Association.

The Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College conducts applicable research, engages and educates residents, and collaborates with other organizations in efforts to make the lakes and streams of Kosciusko County cleaner. For more information or to support their efforts, visit lakes.grace.edu.