Congratulations to all of our 2021 Fish Art Contest Winners!
Thank you for your participation in the Fish Art Contest.
Congratulations to all of our 2021 Fish Art Contest Winners!
Thank you for your participation in the Fish Art Contest.
Amanda DiLenge
5th Grade Teacher
Theresa Bunker Elementary School, Idaho
Her nominations were as follows:
“Amanda is a dedicated outdoor individual. She regularly fishes, and loves fishing so much a few years ago she got involved with Idaho Fish and Games, Trout in the Classroom. This program partners with educators to teach kids about trout habitat, water quality and conservation. She went out and got a grant to buy her own equipment so she can take the program to whatever school she works at. Last year she planned and scheduled the entire elementary school she worked at to visit Yellowstone National Park, in shifts. Kids learned about all the various aspects of Yellowstone. She regularly teaches STEM school curriculum with real life outdoor relatable results. For instance a field trip to a river years ago where kids got to see freshwater bryozoan. She then bought certain biodegradable compounds and the kids made synthetic bryozoan in the class. She used to use the Bonneville Dam fish ladder live feed for fish identification class. And regularly does a recycling program.”
“This educator goes above and beyond for her students. She pursued a grant to fund an opportunity for her students to raise Trout in the Classroom in collaboration with Idaho Fish and Game. Students have raised trout from egg to release for multiple years to help ensure there are fish for future generations of fly fishermen/women and to ensure student understand the value of the fish. In past years she has been able to take students to the river to learn about water quality, macro-invertebrates, fish habitat, bryozoans, and she even provided fly fishing lessons for her classes. Not only has she provided a hands on opportunity for her students to learn about fish/fishing but she has allowed students to learn about watersheds and broad environmental issues. Students are encouraged to recycle, upcycle, prevent waste and protect nature. Mrs. DiLenge has a love of fishing, nature, and all things wildlife. Using her platform as a teacher she has been able to help future generations gain knowledge that will allow them to better our Earth and it’s systems.”