
Summer School Features Fishing
Educators go to school to learn how to teach angling
July 2, 2008, Alexandria, VA— Educators from around the
country will convene in Traverse City, Mich. July 6 - 10 for a one-of-a-kind
training program to learn how to use fishing as a means to connect textbook
learning to real world skills.
The Future Fisherman Foundation, the angling education arm of the American Sportfishing
Association, is conducting its 6th annual Physh Ed National Education
Grants training at the Northwestern Michigan College campus. Physh Ed is
a grants program that provides teachers in schools across the nation with the
funds and the training that will enable them to design and deliver fishing-related
programming as part of their regular curriculum.
For the upcoming 2008/2009 school year, the foundation awarded grants
of up to $2,500 each to teachers from 35 states. Each school will send
one representative to the training where they will learn from aquatic
education professionals and experts in “teaching the teachers.”
“Of course we want to get students excited about fishing and the
out-of-doors,” said Anne Danielski, executive director, Future
Fisherman Foundation, “but more importantly fishing can help children
make the connection between the science text book and the real world.”
“I loved to fish and thought it was a great idea to get my students
excited about science.” said Pete Della Ratta, a 2003 Physh
Ed grant recipient and guest instructor. “Our attendance improves,
our behaviors are better and our students have become very aware of aquatic
conservation issues. It is a win-win for everyone!”
The workshop features casting instruction in fly- and spincasting, conservation
education, lesson planning, how to develop resources and build grassroots
partnerships and how to effectively evaluate your programs success.
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The Future Fisherman Foundation is the angler recruitment and education
arm of the American Sportfishing Association, the leading recreational
fishing trade association. The Future Fisherman Foundation unites the
sportfishing industry with a nationwide network of state outdoor educators,
national conservation groups and youth organizations, offering a variety
of fishing and boating programs, equipment, and services to community
groups and schools across the country. These efforts help people of
all ages have safe and enjoyable fishing experiences that foster life-long
conservation ethics.