Inquiry In Action: Engineering Self-Sustaining Ecosystems
My students need water pumps, zipties, PVC fittings, water quality test kits, plant supplies, and fish food to build self-sustaining ecosystems as they learn about the nitrogen cycle and how matter flows through our environment.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Holland's classroom raised $539
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
It's often said that as we grow older we begin to get less curious. My students defy this. As the school year goes on, they get more curious as they make connections between concepts and start looking at the world in new ways.
My students are curious and creative problem solvers who make insightful observations as they engage with and learn from each other.
I teach at a Title I school with a diverse population of students who show me every day that, if given the chance, they will rise to the occasion.
My Project
As a teacher, every so often you come across a project that is so engaging and educational that it becomes a regular part of your curriculum. For my classroom, our year-end aquaponics unit is that project. During this unit, student groups are tasked with designing and building living, self-sustaining ecosystems which consist of an aquatic and terrestrial chamber; allowing them to study the nitrogen cycle and how matter and energy flow through our environment.
As students establish and maintain their living ecosystem models, they will come to realize how small alterations to their systems can result in big changes, just like in the real world.
At the beginning of the unit students use plastic bins, water pumps, PVC pipe, bulkhead fittings, zipties and hand held power tools to engineer and construct a system that pumps water from an aquatic chamber, containing mosquito fish and water plants, to a terrestrial chamber above, where plants are grown. Students must design a way to cycle this water through their system and, along the way, learn about the nitrogen cycle as they regularly collect water quality data on pH, ammonia, nitrite, and dissolved oxygen. Not only will this allow students to act as scientists and build important skills, but students will also use their data to inform decisions such as when a water change is necessary as they work to keep their living organisms healthy.
Your donation will help supply us with necessary building materials, supplies for students to grow plants, water quality test kits, and fish food to help students maintain their ecosystems. This project not only teaches students important concepts in environmental science, but also helps teach students to be creative problem solvers and persevere through challenges. And, perhaps best of all, it also helps teach students to learn to love science.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
VicTsing 80 GPH (300L/H, 4W) Submersible Water Pump For Pond, Aquarium, Fish Tank Fountain Water Pump Hydroponics with 5.9ft (1.8M) Power Cord
• Amazon Business
$7.75
12
$93.00
Sterilite 16428012 6 Quart/5.7 Liter Storage Box, White Lid with Clear Base (Pack of 12)
• Amazon Business
$25.70
2
$51.40
Lifegard Aquatics 1/2-Inch Slip Bulkhead Fitting
• Amazon Business
$3.33
15
$49.95
Apollo Horticulture GLRP18 Pair of 1/8" Adjustable Grow Light Rope Hanger w/ Improved Metal Internal Gears
• Amazon Business
$7.99
4
$31.96
General Hydroponics Rapid Rooter Replacement Plugs 50 count
• Amazon Business
$15.41
2
$30.82
Nylon Cable Ties - 8" - Multi Color (Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Fuschia, Orange, Gray, Purple) - 500 Pieces
• Amazon Business
$13.65
2
$27.30
Urban Farmer Weekly 7 Day Programmable Dual Outlet Digital Timer
• Amazon Business
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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. Holland and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
