Photo by: Addison Cogswell, Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Stewart Cogswell assists students as they use a microscope to determine age of lake trout otoliths.

Sixth grade students at Peshtigo Elementary Learning Center, in Peshtigo, Wis., were involved in an exciting fish aging demonstration.  The Green Bay National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office taught a science class for a day, focusing on fish biology and management, along with a brief lesson on age determination.  Age determination was demonstrated using scales, otoliths and fin spines.  In an effort to liven up a rather colorless topic, contests were held to see which group of students could come closest to the correct age determination of various structures.  A 50-year-old sturgeon fin spine and a 7-year-old lake trout otolith were used for the contest.  Student participation was encouraged with Fish and Wildlife Service paraphernalia.  At the end of each class, students enjoyed floy tagging a pillow and working the controls of a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV).  A total of five classes were taught during the day, representing roughly 125 students.