Before students left, they went over a map showing the area they were going to visit.
Once they arrived, Mike Jensen, Merced Irrigation District (MID) Director of Public Relations, and Brett Theodozio, MID Recreation Director spent time speaking with students about all that's happening in and around Lake McClure.
Students headed to the lake to test the water. As seen here, water levels are extremely low.
Students, including Ryan Ramirez and Sklyee Borba Bond (faces visible), took water samples and tested them. In the background, Kayla Lawrence checks the temperature of the water. 
Brett Theodozio, MID Recreation Director, spoke to students about where the Exchequer mountain bike paths are being put in.
The fifth and sixth graders stand with Instructional Aide Barbara Milazzo (second from left) and Teacher Erika Miranda (far right) overlooking Lake McClure.Students then headed over to the fish hatchery where representatives from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife spoke to them about the fish spawning process and gave them a tour of the facility.
Students saw where the fish stream in during spawning season.
Fish and Wildlife staff divert the fish from the stream into the plant with the help of water that is slightly cooler than the stream water and more comfortable to the fish.
Staff takes the eggs from the females and milk the males.The eggs then sit soaking for a certain amount of time. As the fertilized eggs hatch, they are moved to holding containers.As the fish grow, they are moved to larger holding tanks until it is time to release them.
Teacher Erika Miranda and student Robbie Conley are two of the group touring the facility and listening to Fish and Wildlife staff's explanation of the process.Sierra Foothill Charter School is a free, non-profit, K-8 public school. For more information, contact the office at (209) 742-6222 or visit SFCS’s website: sierrafoothillcharterschool.org. To stay up to date on all the latest happenings, “like” SFCS on Facebook.
