Schools

Aquaculture is MRH's Newest Sustainability Project

Aquaculture combines hydroponic gardening with fish, science teacher Scott McClintock said.

For Sarah Robberson, growing food in a sustainable way is more than a homework assignment. The student said she's an advocate of sustainability to her family and friends.

"I'm glad to know they're curious," said Robberson, 14, referring to her family. 

She previously and loves hands-on learning opportunities during middle school expeditions.

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Robberson was among the more than 20 middle and students who attended a day-long conversation about aquaculture in the MRH auditorium.

Aquaculture is a term used to describe a method of farming that combines hydroponic gardening with fish, science teacher Scott McClintock said.

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It's also a way to grow fish and plants with minimal impact on the environment, said Dr. Robert Dillon, principal of the middle school. In an aquaculture system, plants help recondition water for fish while fish waste feeds the plants.

The middle school uses sustainability projects such as aquaculture to advance the school's mission of building leadership, citizenship and stewardship, Dillon said.

"We're going to have to figure out a way to feed 10 billion people in the next 30 years," Dillon said. "We want kids to consider that at age 13 or 14 and not age 30."

It's also a great way to keep students engaged with topics ranging from science to economics, he said.

"Look at them—they're totally jazzed about what all this means," said Dillon during Monday's event, pointing to the auditorium stage where students collaborated on mini-aquaculture systems. 

In the afternoon, they split into six groups of about four and created the systems using fish tanks, rocks, fish food, plant seeds and goldfish. Students listened to expert speakers throughout the morning.

Students will monitor their systems' progress as part of their homework. Over the next few months, the school district hopes to add a real-world aquaculture system that will contain 200 tilapia and grow lettuce and herbs, Dillon said.

He expects the system to grow 200 pounds of fish per year, which will be used in the cafeteria and be sold to local restaurants. It's a similar arrangement to what the school does with the .

When the system is installed, eighth-grader Chris Tonicek hopes community members will review how aquaculture works before installing something similar in their own homes.

"It's good to help where we can," said Tronicek, 14.


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