My students need test strips, aqua pumps, ammonia test kits, submersible heaters, decholorinators, and other materials to begin replacing water pumps and heaters for systems to continue operating. The test strips are needed for water quality testing and maintenance.
Students need to "experience" science, not just read about it or watch a movie. Your support ensures that every day is an "experience" day for my students. With the materials you help supply, students collect data and then make "real life" decisions to produce fish and plants for food!
Our school qualifies for some Title One funding.
We are a diverse urban school with equal demographics of white, African-American, Asian and Hispanics. Our students mostly come from hard working, blue collar families. When the students graduate, 90% of them go on to the community colleges or 4-year state colleges.
As with most kids, they like doing something that they can take ownership of, that requires some skill and is challenging. At the beginning of the year, each class rebuilds their aquaponics system and begins the tasks of growing fish and food. They work in teams throughout the year with a few students rising to the top to lead the teams.
I love watching them grow into leadership roles. I love watching them during their first of many harvests and I love watching them share what they have learned with other students and community members.
My Project
My students need test strips, aqua pumps, ammonia test kits, submersible heaters, decholorinators, and other materials to begin replacing water pumps and heaters for systems to continue operating. The test strips are needed for water quality testing and maintenance.
Students use the water testing materials to maintain water quality that will allow our fish and vegetables to grow together. They learn how to balance pH, ammonia and nitrogen. When water needs to be added, they dechlorinate... and they know first hand what happens to fish when they don't! Heaters and pumps are at the heart of the system and after 4 years need to be replaced.
My students can recite the nitrogen cycle, they understand that aquaponics saves 90% on water vs. traditional food production practices, they see how food can be produced with no chemicals (they only add organic fish food to each system), they live the concept of sustainability and have fed over 200 students already this year with the food they have grown. But the most important benefit is that they become problem solvers. They have had to fix leaks and broken pumps, add water on hot days, change water, move plants, reduce algae, change fish feedings and more. I love watching them become independent thinkers!
A meager science budget of only $6000 for 1800 students and 13 teachers does not allow for much of a science experience.
I had to get creative... so aquaponics was launched. The project carries science throughout the school year... it is not just a one-day or week experience. Some students become project leads, others build systems with their parents at home. Some find that they love to teach others. Some like to harvest and feed others. Some go on with science careers. We are changing lives!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Doucette and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
