Our Mission:
• Establish FICs in 5 Aquariums during the next 3 years.
• Expand and support the outreach program of the aquariums
• Directed toward elementary teachers (elementary teachers have less science background than middle school)
• Continue on an annual basis
• Provide additional support and supplies to keep the program expanding
• Create and organize an Aquatic Industry Advisory Council
• • Comprised of hardware manufacturers and software producers
• • Provide ongoing strategic counsel to support the FIC
• • Sounding board for ideas and programs
• • Build consensus
• Communicate the activities and successes of the FIC
• Raise additional resources to support the FIC on an ongoing basis

Background:
In 2006, The Florida Tropical Fish Farmers Association (FTFFA) Florida Aquarium (Tampa) and Verizon created “Aquariumania” an education and learning program to gain knowledge of the enjoyment and responsibility of owning fish. The Aquariumania program was funded by a $25,000 grant from Verizon and $30,000 from Hillsborough County.

FIC in 2007:
• The program created at Florida Aquarium would not have occurred without Pet Care Trust support
• Created teacher teams of 4 teachers from 25 schools
• Conducted 4 workshops starting in the Fall of 2007
• Teachers test students prior to the FIC
• Conduct lesson plans 1 – 6 in the classroom
• Class visit to the Florida Aquarium
• Lesson plan delivered by the Aquarium’s Education Instructor
• The Aquarium’s Education Instructor administered the post-FIC test
• Developed an aquarium equipment checklist
• Revised and printed curriculum
• Staff requirements (aquarium) included:
• • Education Programs Manager
• • Education Instructor
• • Teacher Programs Coordinator
• • Reservationists
• Developed budget
• Developed evaluation plan

Goals We've Achieved:
• Continued the existing Florida Aquarium’s Aquariumania Program
• Developed a PCT Outreach Training Program for the Aquariums
• Refined the program, processes and the metrics of success
• Developed the strategic and tactical plan for expanding FIC to two additional Aquariums in 2008-2009

Current Status and Pre-Results:
• Created the Aquatic Advisory Council (AAC) that:
• • Provides advice and counsel to the PCT on the Fish in the Classroom Program targeted at Aquariums and Retailers
• • Helps identify additional activities/programs thatwill enhance value for the aquatic sector of the industry
• • Provides ongoing updates and reports to the PCT Board of Directors
• • Trained 83 Elementary School Teachers from Hillsborough and Pinellas County
• • Held 4 Workshops – 1 more to be held in March
• FIC provides:
• • Curriculum (8 lessons)
• • Teacher training
• • $250/teacher WWPIA coupons for supplies and fish
• • Fieldtrips
• • Technical support
• Pre-Evaluation Aquariumania Newspaper in Education

Goals for 2008 & 2009
• Aquariums:
• • 2008 - Execute a FIC Program with Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA and National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD
• • 2009 - Execute a FIC Program with Georgia Aquarium, Dallas World Aquarium and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago

“I really enjoyed the workshop and I am so excited about setting up a new aquarium in my class. I bought my tank and all my supplies at Pet Supermarket, the manager was nice enough to give me a 20% discount in hopes to get more teachers to purchase from him. He also gave me a huge box of fish food that will probably last all the teachers at my school a few years. So I was able to get lots of really cool stuff for my tank, including a castle and treasure chest that opens up. I will send a picture when it is set up. I am planning on starting the first lesson tomorrow. Thanks again for this great opportunity, the kids are going to love it!”

–Caroline Turke, Roland Park K-8, 3rd Grade teacher.