In November 2006, Biologist Angela Baran worked with seventh grade math teacher Kathy Sill to develop a classroom project to show students how math applies in life. 

This partnership was formed in 2005, when Sill contacted the hatchery to find out about presenters and projects for her math class.  The project of using math to calculate egg numbers held at Iron River National Fish Hatchery was such a success, planning was in the works to try it again in 2006. 

This year it was decided to expand the project to two days, giving more time in the classroom for students to work and also to allow for a small presentation explaining what goes on at the hatchery and where the eggs they were going to be working with came from. 

Sill was able to create a worksheet for the students to guide them through the process of sample counting eggs and calculating the number of eggs on station that correlated with the activities Baran planned out. 

While some students were initially “grossed out”, they quickly got over their unease and dove right into handling the eggs.  They were fascinated by the small fish moving inside the egg.  The students also did a couple double takes when they started their calculations and discovered some of the answers were over 1 million! 

Baran and Sill hope to continue the tradition next year and possibly expand the opportunities.