Aquaponics
Education
78%
MATH MEETING STANDARD
85%
SCIENCE PROFICIENCY
Students of Mililani Mauka Elementary School have a high average of proficiency in science, as well as math.
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About Mililani Mauka Elementary School:
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"At Mililani Mauka Elementary, use of technology to enhance teaching and learning is integral to the school's operation. The school was built under Harvard’s Project Zero Smart School on a principle that “learning is a consequence of thinking and should be reflective of deep understanding.”
The school has an active School Community Council and supportive Parent Teacher Organization, which funds various initiatives for the students in the arts, technology, music and physical education. Mililani Mauka Elementary's Parent Community Networking Center encourages parents to volunteer for a variety of activities ranging from single events to year long assistance as tutors, library helpers and classroom helpers."
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Mililani Mauka Elementary School
AQUAPONICS IS COVERED IN 5TH GRADE
WHAT IS AQUAPONICS?
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Aquaponics is using the nutrients created from fish to give plants energy, absorbing it through their roots. This method of of growing plants without soil may also include using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent if not using other ways for plants getting nutrients. The bacteria that grows breaks down the fish waste, called the nitrogen cycle. Through this process that breaks down the waste, the fish waste becomes plant food.
Terrestrial plants can be grown with only their roots being exposed to the water solution, or the roots may be supported in a light sort of ground such as perlite or gravel.
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Did You Know...
- Aquaponics allows plants to grow 2-4 times faster and produce 4-7 times more food than conventional gardening using 70-90% less water.
- An aquaponics system can be set up anywhere, including inner city parking lots, schools, and more!
- Aquaponics is (and must be) organic! Pesticides would harm the fish, therefore must never be used.
Aquaponics:
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Working with Young Children
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- Ask engaging questions
- Working with students in a group setting rather than lecturing helps young students to stay engaged. ​
- I made sure to ask students questions they could figure out with ease. (Ex. What do plants need to survive, how do humans get energy, how do plants get energy)
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If educating a younger audience, use easy to understand words.
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Words like "photosynthesis" is difficult for young children to understand. It is important to sound out words together.
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This project is focused around educating elementary students. Theses students are introduced only briefly to plants and basically what they need to survive. (Water, soil, sunlight, and space) My goal is to educate these students. I would like to inform them about the nutrient system for plants, as well as how students will take this with them in the future.
- Have students take out and look at plants themselves, to have a hands on learning experience.
- Students will learn about plants through a slide show, do a pre and post test, and a aquaponics drawing diagram.
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Students will learn that all organisms have external parts. Plants have different parts, (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them to survive and grow.
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​Students will learn that plants do not necessarily need soil, rather they need nutrients in order to grow. (fish waste)
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