Fish tanks have begun quietly appearing in teachers’ classrooms this semester, but they aren’t just for show. The new classroom additions, as part of an Aquatics Science assignment, are designed to provide a hands-on experience for students while also promoting aquatic life.

The assignment, first implemented in the 2024-2025 school year, is broken down into several parts throughout the year, with Aquatic Science teacher Jane Baker describing the first semester as a preparation phase.

“In the first semester, they’re learning to set the aquarium up,” Baker said. “Then, they get some fish and hopefully learn to keep them alive. They learn about water quality and the ecological interactions of the organisms. There’s a lot of death at first.”

A group in Baker’s fifth period, Seafood Boil, nearly experienced this firsthand when two of the creatures in their tank were diagnosed with ich, a contagious illness that has required the group to set up a “hospital tank” and quarantine the sick fish.

“They were all doing great,” group member and senior Obed Reyes says. “On Monday, I came in and noticed bright spots on one of the fish.”

By working in groups, the students are able to solve problems together and learn as a collective.

“It’s a lot easier to manage because we work as a team,” senior Addison Pacheco said. “I can deal with our main tank while they deal with the hospital tank.”

While the first phase involves extensive amounts of trial-and-error, Baker says it’s necessary for the second phase of the assignment.

“In the second semester, I put some remote tanks in selected teachers’ rooms,” Baker said. “That’s for the students to be out from under me and maintain their habitat on their own. Also, it lets another class enjoy the aquarium.”

Since there isn’t enough space to house all the tanks in one room, Baker reached out to teachers across Bellaire to see who would be willing to “adopt” a tank. One of those teachers was Italian teacher Maria Borsa.

“When Baker sent an email about having an aquarium, I always thought that having a pet in the class helps students relax,” Borsa said. “So I immediately sent her an email saying I wanted one.”

In Borsa’s classroom, the fish tank has already changed the atmosphere.

“When students come in, they forget about any kind of worry they have from previous classes,” Borsa said. “They see the aquarium, and immediately, they are in a better mood. Their anxiety level lowers.”

English teacher Elizabeth Chapman has had a fish tank in her classroom for several years. One of her students, junior Miley Nguyen, loves the Bikini Bottom theme in particular, and turns on the LED lights before class.

“I really love the fish,” Nguyen said. “When I saw the fish tank, I got so excited because the last time I saw the fish tank was ninth grade in Ms. Chapman’s class.”

While students typically care for a single tank in the aquatics classroom, those assigned to remote tanks are responsible for maintaining two at once. The added responsibility gives students a more realistic perspective on professional work in the sector.

“It’s way more fun, because once you have two tanks, it really feels like you’re in the field of aquatic science rather than just taking care of fish,” senior Arisleydi Cortez said.

While students enjoy taking care of the tanks, Baker has larger hopes for the assignment’s impact.

“They all love that part, but it’s not just the aquariums,” Baker said. “I hope they take away a love of aquatic ecosystems and an inspiration to continue learning.”