Even Fish Are Enriched By Stimulating Environments

By Mr. Damitha Chathuranga (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

A recent article on Discovery Blog Science Sushi, School Fish By Enriching Their Habitat by Christie Wilcox, presents further ammunition in our arsenal for the argument that student learning is enhanced by school environments. For cryin' out loud, even fish brains are juiced by swimming in enriched environments!

"The Association of Zoos and Aquariums even goes as far as to state that enrichment is “as critical to an animal’s well-being as having the right food and medical care.” 

. . . New research has found that fish brains are boosted when humans add a little variety and diversity to their life, and this knowledge may help conserve key species."

It's wonderful that fish in aquariums across the world will benefit from this awareness.

I'm wondering when students (and communities) across our nation will benefit from the knowledge that their learning and well-being will be enhanced by enriched environments.