Exploring the underwater mysteries of fish and fishing
Water quality and aquatic ecosystems are a key foundation to all life on Earth. That’s why understanding aquatic science, including your knowledge about fishing, can actually help you to become a more responsible steward of the Planet. So dive into the fascinating and fun underwater worlds of fish ecosystems and fishing that you’ll find here. And don’t forget to get your teacher and whole class involved in the fun of discovery by sharing our free classroom videos and lessons in your school.
So what can kids do to give their parents a "wake-up call" on being safe on the water? Watch the television episode here to see how one kid turns the “educational tables” on parents by being the knowledgeable tutor on boating safety. It's understandable that not all parents will be open to "learning life lessons" from their kids. So watch and discover how to use a combination of fun and challenges to get parents on board with boating safety.
What’s the solution? Maybe having kids turn the “educational tables” on parents by being the knowledgeable tutors to boating safety. Of course not all parents will be open to "learning life lessons" from their kids. So use a combination of fun and challenges to get parents on board with boating safety. Just watch the video here and get your family and friends educated by participating in the fun and revealing lesson activity below.
The risk factors for most outdoor adventures seem pretty low. But when you add a body of water, water-sports or watercraft, kids maybe showing off, and suddenly the risks not only jump but can be life-threatening. So what's the solution? Watch the full episode here, read the content below, then watch the "classroom" video then participate in the lesson activity with your peers and teachers by clicking on the "Educational" tab on the right.
Take Summer Camp for instance. Other than sunburn or poison ivy, the risk factors for most summer camps seems pretty low and a safe bet for learning about the outdoors. But when you add a body of water, water-sports or watercraft, kids showing off, and suddenly the risks not only jump but can be life-threatening. So what's the solution? Watch the video here, read the content below and participate in the lesson activity with your peers and teachers.
Have you ever wondered what you can do to keep your favorite fishing spots and the fish that live their happy and healthy? Americans enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational pursuits, yet too few people consider the short and long-term ecosystem impacts of their recreational pursuits. Learn more about how to take responsibility for the health of local water systems while still enjoying a fantastic day on the lake!
Fish can be frustrating creatures, especially to those that like to catch them! Knowing how different kinds of fish react differently to certain kinds of weather can play a huge factor in having a successful day on the lake. Read on and learn to think like a fish!
In this Into the Outdoors episode, we hear four stories about the work that goes into preserving National Marine Sanctuaries, which are underwater parks that protect America's natural and cultural marine resources. These stories, part of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries' "Into the Blue" series, feature people and organizations who are doing amazing and innovative things to help make the world a better place and show that anyone can be a marine steward.
In this initial video, we’ll cover some basic lessons of how kids (and parents) can catch panfish from a dock using live bait. You'll also learn how fishing can connect you with friends, family, our aquatic ecosystems, and fosters your own mental health merely by spending time in the great outdoors. Be sure to also watch other videos mentioned, and share what you’ve learned about when you combine fishing, boating and camping, and using the free 6-8 Grade lesson activity below.
In this Into the Outdoors episode, Adventure Team members Zach and Bella set out to find the best ways to get your family geared up for a fishing and boating adventure! From learning the basics of fishing, like essential gear and different types of fish, to understanding how anglers can help keep fish habitats healthy, they uncover everything you need to know before you and your family cast a line. Zach and Bella also try their hands at wakeboarding, and quickly learn that there are countless ways to have fun safely out on the water!
Let's face reality. Only a handful of kids get to be "stars" on the high school football or baseball team. Then there's the risk of various impact injuries in certain sports. So what can "normal" kids belong to so they can form social bonds, learn new skills and have fun outdoors? More and more kids are discovering those pathways by forming or joining their high school bass fishing club. Watch this TV show or the four educational videos and webpages to discover how you can form your own club... it's easier than you might imagine!
So if you're wondering how you can follow a pathway to making your first catch with the help of agency programs or on your National Forest with the help of mentors, watch and learn. And as you watch the final segment of this TV episode, take the time to consider where our best waters come from and how to help preserve them.
You've got several choices to learn more about catching crappies for your family fish dinner. First, you can watch this entire television episode, or you can explore the various educational classroom videos with lesson activities on the sustainability of catching crappies. Just explore the angling education category on the website and look for the panfish and crappie topics.
Guess who owns all of the National Forests in the nation? Some might say "the government, of course". But the real answer and the motto of the US Forest Service is that "It's YOUR Forest" So depending on where you live, there may be all kinds of angling opportunities within a reasonable drive. Take Michigan for instance. Watch the video here and explore the information below to discover all kinds of places to catch just about every fresh species there. As a bonus, you'll get a thought-provoking look at Your Best Waters... because all the waters in our National Forests are also YOUR waters.
Let's face reality. Only a handful of kids get to be stars on the high school football or baseball team. Then there's the risk of various impact injuries in certain sports. So what can "normal" kids belong to so they can form social bonds, learn new skills and have fun outdoors? More and more kids are discovering those pathways by forming or joining their high school bass fishing club. Watch this series of videos and webpages to discover how you can form your own club... easier than you might imagine!
If your school is one of the 1500 that already has a bass fishing club, simply join. If not, one of the easier ways to build something from scratch is to follow a logical step-by-step blueprint or plan. And fortunately for you, organizations such as SAF offer online and downloadable PDFs on starting your bass fishing club. In fact, they've helped high school students form thousands of high school clubs across the county. Watch, read and learn how.
You're almost ready to make the final pitch to your school principal, administrator and eventually the school board. So let's complete the steps below so your team can actually begin to compete with other clubs, enter tournaments and possibly win prizes or college scholarships.
Like most great adventures in life, you learn and grow as a person during your journey of discovery as a member of your school bass fishing club. To help you with that discovery, let's break down some of the great stuff you'll learn, and how to develop tournament winning techniques.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported in 2017 that there were 4,291 boating accidents that involved 658 deaths. And for those who drowned, the saddest part is that 84% of them were not wearing a PFD (personal flotation device = life vest). So what's your solution to keeping you and your fishing buddies from becoming one of these grim statistics? Easy-peasy... take a certified boating safety course and develop and follow a safe and smart fishing plan that includes the 4 key elements explained below (that could keep you from ending up below the water!)
Catching a fish seems like the obvious reason you'd want to go fishing, right? But when you take a moment to decode all the things that happening before, during and after the process of catching that fish, you'll begin to discover some of the personal rewards that inspire so many anglers to gather their rods, reels, tackle, boats, friends and family and head for the water... with no guarantee of even catching a fish each time! So what drives us anglers? Three ways to discover the answers: 1) watch the video and explore the content below, 2) go fishing with family or friends and find out firsthand, 3) Have your class participate in the interactive and cross-cultural lesson activity (below) to discover more than you could imagine about the rewards of fishing!
Whether you're fishing Florida estuaries or Midwestern lakes, by understanding and practicing aquatic ecosystem ethics you help preserve three very important things; 1) all the species that live there, 2) the waters and shorelines you're fishing, 3) your reputation and personal integrity as an angler.
As kids, most of our activities are planned by adults. Sure, we appreciate their help. But we'd also like to plan some of our own adventures in life. So thankfully the video and information here gives us kids a clear path to mapping out our own adventure... where adults still get to play key roles in OUR PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE on our National Forests.
Let’s cast off into the video and discover how angling can make us guardians of our aquatic ecosystem. And don’t forget to swim on over to the lesson activity to become savvy in identifying fish habitat!
Okay, crew! You ready to unveil the six secrets to respecting and caring for your fish? Or scoop up the tips and tricks to keeping your family safe during your exploits? Check out the video or lesson activity to find out …
Okay, crappie stewards! The rules are simple! Swish over to this video and you will discover the guidelines that anglers follow to steward our natural resources! And if your teacher downloads the lesson activity below, your class will go on a filming adventure for fishing laws!
Get a taste of this video! You will discover pathways to filleting, cooking, and sharing a great meal with your family. Or have your teacher scoop up the lesson activity to have your class become chefs in cooking gamefish!
You ready to crack this mystery fish? Let’s dive into this video to discover the secrets to finding walleye in water bodies near you! Or check out the lesson activity below to zero in on walleye and fishing locations near you.
What are easy methods your family can use to catch this tricky fish all-year-round? Hook onto those answers by watching the video! And if you check the lesson activity below, your class will debunk walleye fishing myths by building a tackle box full of fishing tips.
Dive into walleye biology with Ali Shakoor and discover the biological secrets to the mysterious walleye. Or have your teacher download the lesson activity to map out food webs to your aquatic ecosystems!
Where can you fish all-year-round with your family? Plunge into this video to find out. And if your teacher downloads the lesson activity, your peers will become a whiz in managing river ecosystems near cities.
So what do you do after the fun part of catching the fish is over and you're looking into that bucket of "potential protein"? The solution is easier than you think once you learn a few of these basic steps to cleaning your catch. Then you can enjoy the healthy eating while also becoming a more sustainable citizen of Planet Earth by harvesting and consuming a renewable resource... fresh fish!
Thankfully, these two videos, website content and lesson activity below define clear pathways to enjoying Florida fishing with the bonus of also understanding the food webs... that can actually help anglers fish. All of this happens when two teens enlist the help of a local mentor to discover the fun, adventure, ecology and fishing action in the 10,000 islands tidal area off the Everglades National Park. The kids not only learn how to catch snook and other species, they discover the value of natural marine ecosystems and the lasting memories of fishing with family and friends. Anchors away matey!
So if your "first catch" is such a memorable and influential experience, how can state R3 agencies and mentors help make that happen for our next generation of anglers? Recruiting new anglers is a challenge facing state fish and wildlife agencies around the country. So what can they do to provide pathways for kids to discover fishing? Watch this video to discover how states like Pennsylvania are using innovative mobile programs to recruit new anglers.
Studies show that some of the most memorable experiences in someone's life include a few key elements: 1) an outdoor experience, 2) interaction with friends or loved ones, 3) a first-time encounter with something alive in nature. Hmmm, sounds like all the elements in... family fishing. But another question remains: How can kids and families make those fishing adventures happen? Watch this television episode and find out...
Well it’s a good thing you have an “eye” on this walleye fishing television show! Not only will you understand the biological secrets to finding this fish … you will also discover the techniques families may use to catch this popular sportfish all year round! Sounds like a wild time, right? Then check out the TV episode below and get wild about walleye fishing with us!
Dive into this topic and by watching the Serious Science video below. You’ll be transported underwater to compare and contrast two well-known fish species here in the Upper Midwest. Don’t worry…. you don’t have to hold your breath for too long.
Gulp down the contents of our lesson activity by clicking on the link below.
Make sure to click the logo of the educational partner that supported this video and lesson content for us all to learn from. They offer even more learning opportunities on their website.
Thankfully, this new television show reveals how two teens enlist the help of a local mentor to discover the fun, adventure, ecology and fishing action in the 10,000 islands tidal area off the Everglades National Park. The kids not only learn how to catch snook and other species, they discover the value of natural marine ecosystems and the lasting memories of fishing with family and friends.
Fortunately, for every animal on Earth, there is balance. This balance is what scientists call "biological carrying capacity". Explore this important topic by watching the Serious Science video below.
Also check out the free lesson guides that will help you and your class learn even more about the balance that exists in nature.
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If fish farming, also known as aquaculture, is news to you, don’t worry. The Serious Science video below will fill you in on how aquaculture works. You will also learn about aquaponics, where the waste from the fish is used as fertilizer for growing crops. And the crops are grown in the same water that the fish use. Talk about surf and turf.
Click on the discussion guide below and the lesson activity to learn more about this topic and to put into practice what you learned in the video.
If you've wondered how you can help recruit our next generation of anglers by joining an established national R3 initiative... then wonder no more. Because here's a clear path for you to join a coalition of your peer agencies, organizations and companies that are actively reshaping the future of fishing in America by recruiting more new anglers. By joining the The Future Angler Foundation and their partners, you'll help touch the hearts and minds of kids and families with Emmy-winning s syndicated broadcast television, influence millions through 9 digital channels, and engage kids in thousands of classrooms with fishing videos and family-fishing lessons... while telling YOUR STORY.
Find out by watching this Serious Science video. You’ll learn about the relationship the Menominee Tribe has with the sturgeon, why the sturgeon is being monitored these days, and you will see just how big these prehistoric creatures can grow.
Take a step back in time as you explore the topic further in your classroom using our free lesson guide below.
Make sure to click the logo of the educational partner that supported this video and lesson content for more insight into the Menominee Tribe. They offer extra learning opportunities on their website.
Discover if there are indeed dinosaurs among us, or if that's just nonsense, by watching the four parts of this video series. You might be surprised by what you learn about one of the largest fish inhabiting the Great Lakes region and what is being done to prevent it from following the fate of most other prehistoric creatures.
Don’t forget to dive into the discussion guide below to get even more background on sturgeon conservation. If you're a high school student, have a look at the lesson activity that will you to build off what's in the discussion guide.
The educational partner below supported the video content. Click their link to access bonus learning opportunities.