NSU University School Viewpoint Spring 2018

MIDDLE SCHOOL Aquaponics, a food production system that relies on a symbiotic relationship between plants and fish, is giving USchool’s sixth-grade science students a new experiential learning opportunity. Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (the raising of fish and other aquatic animals in tanks) and hydroponics (the growing of plants without soil). Fish are raised in a tank, where they excrete ammonia-rich waste that must be removed for the health of the fish. The water from the tank is pumped to the plants, where beneficial bacteria help convert the waste to nitrate, and is absorbed by the plants. The naturally filtered water is then returned to the fish tank. Science teacher Alicia Anania, M.S., is working toward her master’s degree in marine biology and is pleased to be able to give her students the hands-on opportunity to work with this sustainable life cycle. “My students examine the ecosystem in its entirety,” Anania said. “Most recently, we have addressed abiotic versus biotic factors, and how sunlight versus artificial light and types of soil may affect the growth of the plants. We’ve also examined pests such as spider mites, which have attached to some of the plant leaves.” Her budding scientists have been asked to make their own natural remedies to address the pest Exploring AQUAPONICS problem. They are testing solutions made of water and either lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, sage, or rosemary. They take samples of the leaves and examine them under microscopes. Students note discoloration, wilting, and growth of the leaves. Together We Stand, a nonprofit organization in Hollywood, Florida, dedicated to educating the community about sustainable living environments, built the two-tiered aquaponics system on-site at the Middle School. The system consists of a media-filled bed of lava rock and hydroton on one side and a floating raft system on the other. “Students had the exciting opportunity to visit the large-scale aquaponics facility and urban farm at Together We Stand. While on the trip, students also spent time learning about hydroponics, urban gardening, urban farming, holistic herbs and medicine, and the importance of working together with nature,” Anania said. “To get a firsthand view of aquaponics on such a grand scale is exciting for our students. They are not only learning about agriculture, bio- systems, and earth-friendly technologies but also about community engagement and the results that come about when people and nature work together.” 14