Pupils couldn't be blamed if they felt they were being watched during science classes lately.
That's because there are about 1000 eyes looking out of about 500 salmon eggs in a fish tank sitting in the corner of one of the science labs at the school.
The eggs were provided by Fish and Game Otago as part of an experiment to see if they could be hatched in a classroom environment and released into the wild.
It was the first time a New Zealand secondary school has played host to a Fish and Game experiment involving salmon eggs, Fish and Game Otago ranger Steven Dixon said.
The school had worked hard to keep its neighbouring Kaikorai Stream clean and healthy, and had conducted several plantings on the banks of the stream to support its wildlife.
''It's to show the kids what actually happens in the wild. It's an education thing - it gives them an appreciation of how things work in the wild.''
The eggs were expected to hatch in about four weeks, Mr Dixon said. The smolt would then be fed in the tank for a short time before being released into the Water of Leith.
It was hoped they would return in the future to spawn.
Kaikorai Valley College science teacher Claudine Tyrrell said the eggs had created great intrigue among her pupils across all year levels.
''You can see eyes on the eggs now.
''The children queue up to have a look in the tank.
''What little activity they display is very intriguing for them.''
She said pupils entered their science classes each day with the same questions: ''Can we see them? Have they hatched yet? Do they look like fish yet? Can we eat them yet? Can we keep one as a pet?''
Despite many staff licking their chops at the thought of a nice salmon dinner, Dr Tyrrell said there would not be any fish from the school on the menu.
