My students need supplies in order to begin an aquaponics project in our greenhouse. Supplies include pumps, tubing, gloves, seeds, pots, rooting hormone, and trimmers.
How are plants, animals, water, nutrients, bacteria, earth, and air all connected? The introduction of an aquaponics project will help my students find out! This project is intended to help all agricultural students get involved for years to come! Every student will gain hands-on experience!
My students are proud members of their school and community.
What they lack in means and funding, they make up with positive attitudes and aspirations. Given that my classes are hands-on, interactive courses, guided by the concept of learning by doing, I have a number of students who struggle in a traditional book-centered academic setting. Many of my students are physically, mentally, and/or developmentally challenged. These students strive in my classes and show learning achievements here that they may not ever experience elsewhere. All of my students receive career training and acquire applicable skills that can help them qualify for employment in the agricultural industry.
My Project
Aquaponics is a complete food production system that combines the raising of fish with the cultivation of plants in water. Plants use the nutrient-rich water from the fish, who in turn, receive freshly filtered water. This symbiotic relationship removes the need for chemical fertilizers, and mimics a natural ecosystem. The construction of the hydroponics system will help the Ag Mechanics and Construction Classes to learn application of skills in an agricultural setting. Care of the fish, as well as monitoring their growth and development, will fall to the Animal Science Class. Care and propagation of the plants, from seeds and cuttings, will be experienced by the Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Class. Finally, the entire process and sale of output will by monitored by students enrolled in Agribusiness and Leadership. Our greenhouse will become a fully-interactive classroom!
This opportunity to involve students in a cross-curricular, money-making, long-lasting project is one that cannot be easily duplicated.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about this project, which can help over 100 students learn about a self-contained agricultural system!
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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 Ms. Pombo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.