American Eels

Eels in the Classroom

Eels in the Classroom (EIC) is an experimental, small-scale environmental education opportunity provided by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. Headed by fisheries biologist Aaron Henning, the program provides juvenile American eels to educators to raise in their classrooms and ultimately release back into the Susquehanna River. The EIC project partners with other natural resource agencies and the operators of Conowingo Dam who have been collectively working to bring eels back to their native waters. Students learn about the value and importance of migratory fish through the ecosystem functions they perform.

Participants

In 2018, the first EIC program included two participants: Lewisburg Area High School and the Bradford County Conservation District. Since then the program has grown by word of mouth to include participants in the table below. If you are interested in participating in the EIC program, please fill out the form at https://www.srbc.gov/our-work/american-eels/contact.html.

School District/Organization Years
Abington Heights School District2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Athens Area School District2023, 2024
Benton Area School District (L.R. Appleman Elementary)2024
Bloomsburg Christian School2021, 2022
Bradford County Conservation District2018, 2019
Canton Area School District2023, 2024
Central Dauphin School District2024
Conestoga Valley School District2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Cumberland Valley Eagle View Middle School2022
Danville High School2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Derry Township School District (Hershey High)2023, 2024
Diocese of Scranton (Epiphany School)2024
Donegal School District2024
East Juniata High School2022, 2023, 2024
East Pennsboro High School2019, 2021
Galeton Area School District2023, 2024
Harford County Public Schools (North Harford High)2024
Harrisburg Academy2022, 2023, 2024
Hempfield School District2022, 2023, 2024
Juniata County Conservation District2021
Juniata County Elementary School2022, 2023, 2024
Juniata County High School2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Keystone Central School District2023, 2024
Lampeter Strasburg High School2022
Lewisburg Area High School2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Lower Dauphin School District (Nye Elementary)2024
Loyalsock Township Senior High School2019
Lycoming College2023, 2024
Manheim Central-Doe Run Elementary2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Manheim Central Middle School2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Mifflin County School District2022, 2023, 2024
Millville High School 2022, 2023, 2024
Milton Area Senior High School 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Milton Hershey High School2022
Montour Preserve (The Vernal School)2024
North Central Secure Treatment Unit2022, 2023, 2024
North Rome Christian School (Grace Christian Academy)2024
Northeast Bradford School District2022, 2023, 2024
Northeastern York2023
Otto-Eldred School District2024
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic School2024
Palmyra Area School District2022, 2023, 2024
Red Lion Area School District2022, 2023, 2024
Sayre Area School District2023
Shikellamy School District2024
Southern Columbia Area School District2023, 2024
Southern Tioga School District2023, 2024
Sugar Valley Rural Charter School2024
Susquehanna County Conservation District2024
This Is My Quest Conservation Center2023, 2024
Tioga County Secondary Education Facility2023
Troy Area School District2023
Valley View School District2019
Warwick High School2023, 2024
Wellsboro Area School District2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
West Shore School District-Cedar Cliff2023
Williamsport Area School District2024
Wyalusing Area School District2023, 2024
York County School of Technology2023
York Suburban High School2022, 2023, 2024
Lewisburg High School students with their eel tank. Lewisburg High School Abington Heights High School students with their eel aquarium. Abington Heights High School

The Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership at the Montour Preserve in Danville, PA PA offers a great opportunity for virtual learners to see elvers up close from any location. Special thanks to Vernal School staff, The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, the Montour Area Recreation Commission and Fessler IT Consulting for creating and maintaining this unique opportunity.

For more information please visit The Vernal School’s website.

Donegal Intermediate School in Marietta, PA also offers a livestream of their tank, located in the library for all students to see. Students in 3rd-6th grade learn about the American eel as part of their STEM and library classes. Special thanks to Mr. Wulfkuhle, Ms. Shoemaker, and library staff for creating and maintaining this unique opportunity.