Students in the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) Welding program recently applied their skills to a project with real-world impact. As part of a partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Oak Orchard Pen Rearing Association, students were tasked with building structures for fish pens that will support local fish-stocking efforts.
Students measured, cut, and welded the metal frames that form the foundation of the pens, applying technical skills learned in the classroom to an initiative that will benefit the community.
After delivery to the DEC, the structures will be fitted with netting and placed in the Oak Orchard River to house Chinook salmon. The salmon will remain in the pens for approximately one month before being released into the river. The goal is for the fish to imprint on the river, so they return once they mature.
This marks the third year CTE Welding students have built fish pen structures in support of the program.
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