Program Description: Science Fishing Workshops

Workshops provided by the New Mexico Dept of Game & Fish, and delivered by Ti Piper are scheduled by teachers and youth leaders throughout New Mexico.

• Designed for third grade and up, the program usually features a classroom workshop followed by a fieldtrip to a local fishing water.
• The branching lesson plan allows each group to drive their own hands-on, engaging classroom workshop.
• Typically we map the closest large watershed, like the Pecos River or the Rio Grande, and then map the fieldtrip location's watershed, like Bluewater Lake or Eagle Nest Lake or Bill Evans Lake.
• We learn how to assemble hooks, sinkers, bobbers and fishing line.
• We identify aquatic invertebrates from samples using ID sheets. We identify the fish likely to be found at our field trip location, both native and non-native, and brain storm to draw a food chain that includes those fish.

There is no charge for the program. Geographic areas are scheduled together ie Shiprock area once a year, Clayton once a year and so on. Groups must pay all their own costs such as transport, food, entry fees, fishing licenses. Program provides all science and fishing gear.

Groups as small as fifteen or as large as two classes (for instance 60 youth and 12 adults) can be accommodated. We do not do childcare, all groups must be organized. Teachers or other group leaders may not leave the activity at any time. Parent/adult volunteers are required.