Two-headed fry is more than a fish tale
Salmon spurs students' talk of nature, ethics
By CHRISTINE FINGER
Record-Eagle staff writer
Special to the Record-Eagle
Herby, the two-headed salmon fry, sparked debates and lessons during his two-week life. INTERLOCHEN - When Interlochen Pathfinder fifth-graders gathered salmon eggs to study, they never imagined the lessons they'd learn from a two-headed fry named Herby.
The 250 eggs from Platte River State Fish Hatchery in Honor hatched during Thanksgiving weekend. Among the fry was Herby - one of three with a genetic mutation. Several others were born with just one eye.
Herby died over the weekend, but his short life sparked dynamic classroom conversations about science, nature and ethics.
"The hatchery said it happens but they don't really know why," teacher Shane Harrison said. "There might not be an answer, but it sparks all kinds of great questions."
The students hypothesized that something went awry during cell division - one of the many life stages of the chinook salmon they've been studying.
"I think they were both breathing at first and then one died," said Katie Stanton, 10.
Ben Phillips, 11, said it was hard to see Herby struggling to survive.
"I was happy he got taken out of his misery," he said.
Harrison said the students asked if her husband Jerry, a local veterinarian, could separate the twins. She tried to prepare them for the fact that Herby likely wouldn't make it.
Before gathering the eggs, students got to tour the hatchery, feed the fish and see the eggs harvested.
Herby's departure leaves 60 fry. The class hopes to have at least 50 salmon to release into the Boardman River this spring.
Harrison spearheaded the project with grant funds from the DTE Freshwater Institute, a summer program for teachers. Pathfinder school's parent association provided funds to help pay for additional equipment.
Salmon spurs students' talk of nature, ethics
By CHRISTINE FINGER
Record-Eagle staff writer
Special to the Record-Eagle
Herby, the two-headed salmon fry, sparked debates and lessons during his two-week life. INTERLOCHEN - When Interlochen Pathfinder fifth-graders gathered salmon eggs to study, they never imagined the lessons they'd learn from a two-headed fry named Herby.
The 250 eggs from Platte River State Fish Hatchery in Honor hatched during Thanksgiving weekend. Among the fry was Herby - one of three with a genetic mutation. Several others were born with just one eye.
Herby died over the weekend, but his short life sparked dynamic classroom conversations about science, nature and ethics.
"The hatchery said it happens but they don't really know why," teacher Shane Harrison said. "There might not be an answer, but it sparks all kinds of great questions."
The students hypothesized that something went awry during cell division - one of the many life stages of the chinook salmon they've been studying.
"I think they were both breathing at first and then one died," said Katie Stanton, 10.
Ben Phillips, 11, said it was hard to see Herby struggling to survive.
"I was happy he got taken out of his misery," he said.
Harrison said the students asked if her husband Jerry, a local veterinarian, could separate the twins. She tried to prepare them for the fact that Herby likely wouldn't make it.
Before gathering the eggs, students got to tour the hatchery, feed the fish and see the eggs harvested.
Herby's departure leaves 60 fry. The class hopes to have at least 50 salmon to release into the Boardman River this spring.
Harrison spearheaded the project with grant funds from the DTE Freshwater Institute, a summer program for teachers. Pathfinder school's parent association provided funds to help pay for additional equipment.
