New aquaponics curriculum brings STEM and sustainable agriculture to the classroom

Posted February 4th, 2025 in Aquaculture, Featured, K-12 Education
aquaponics curriculum

Aquaponics, a method for raising fish and plants together, can provide a hands-on way for students to learn scientific concepts while they are introduced to sustainable agriculture. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) announces a new aquaponics curriculum to help educators make these connections.

“By equipping Great Lakes students with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in sustainable agriculture, we are opening doors to future opportunities and helping to shape the next generation of environmental stewards and innovators,” said Julie Fiorito, IISG Great Lakes K-12 education specialist.

In an aquaponics system, fish are raised in tanks, and the nutrient-rich wastewater is circulated to plants growing hydroponically. The plants take up the water and nutrients, thereby cleaning the water, which is then returned to the fish tanks. Because it is a closed system, water and waste are used efficiently.

For teachers that have an aquaponics system already established or those who are interested in this learning approach, the curriculum—Aquaponics: Farming Fish, Growing Greens—offers 10 lessons that walk students through the ABCs of aquaponics.

“As educators and students work their way through the curriculum, they will learn about water quality and environmental science through the lens of a water-based agricultural system that they can grow their own food with,” said Amy Shambach, IISG aquaculture marketing outreach associate.

Aquaponics offers a hands-on way to learn STEAM—science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and math. The curriculum incorporates activities that involve reading comprehension, data analysis and basic math skills, plus includes lessons, PowerPoints and YouTube links. It is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.

Aquaponics: Farming Fish, Growing Greens covers aquaponics comprehensively, but it is also designed so that an educator can pull out a single component to reinforce classwork while connecting to the school’s aquaponic activities, although not necessarily.

At this point, six high schools in Illinois and Indiana are raising fish, and in some cases, plants too, in classrooms, greenhouses, or other school spaces using donated equipment from commercial operations. IISG’s Andrew Coursey worked closely with educators in Illinois and Indiana to help design and set up aquaponics systems and then provided support to help engage students. Coursey has since moved on to another position, but IISG’s school support is ongoing.

You can find more information about the curriculum on the IISG website. A related  resource, Know Your H2O provides the opportunity for educators to borrow water monitoring equipment used by commercial aquaculture producers.

____________________________________________________________

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in coastal and Great Lakes states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach and technology transfer. In partnership with the University of Illinois Extension, and Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant brings science together with communities for solutions that work.

IISG Instagram

Some partnerships just make sense. Happy Valentine’s Day from IISG! 💕

8 0
Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18003364196847976
Some partnerships just make sense. Happy Valentine’s Day from IISG! 💕

This February marks a major milestone: 30 years of aquatic invasive species outreach by our team! To celebrate, IISG Director, Stuart Carlton, and Strategic Communication Coordinator, Renie Miles, sat down for a Sea Grant Chat with two key figures in IISG’s AIS history: Pat Charlebois, our assistant director and program leader, who spent over two decades leading our prevention efforts, and Katie O’Reilly, who took over that role in 2022. We discussed the evolution of the invasive species issue in the Great Lakes, the shift toward understanding human behavior, and the creative strategies that make this team so effective.

Dive into the full interview at the link in bio.

14 0
Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18053780390453750
This February marks a major milestone: 30 years of aquatic invasive species outreach by our team! To celebrate, IISG Director, Stuart Carlton, and Strategic Communication Coordinator, Renie Miles, sat down for a Sea Grant Chat with two key figures in IISG’s AIS history: Pat Charlebois, our assistant director and program leader, who spent over two decades leading our prevention efforts, and Katie O’Reilly, who took over that role in 2022. We discussed the evolution of the invasive species issue in the Great Lakes, the shift toward understanding human behavior, and the creative strategies that make this team so effective. Dive into the full interview at the link in bio.

Introducing the Lake Michigan Explorer!
Start exploring the varied factors that impact the Great Lakes with our Explorer Series. This searchable database of external resources can help you find hands-on activities that spark curiosity and inspire action.

✨ What’s inside?
Lesson plans, fact sheets, and reading materials
Engaging videos and visualizations
Easy-to-use filters by grade level, topic, and time.
Perfect for classrooms and informal learning, this resource empowers students to become stewards of the Great Lakes.

🔗 in bio for more.

13 0
Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17993556791875462
Introducing the Lake Michigan Explorer! Start exploring the varied factors that impact the Great Lakes with our Explorer Series. This searchable database of external resources can help you find hands-on activities that spark curiosity and inspire action. ✨ What’s inside?Lesson plans, fact sheets, and reading materialsEngaging videos and visualizationsEasy-to-use filters by grade level, topic, and time.Perfect for classrooms and informal learning, this resource empowers students to become stewards of the Great Lakes.🔗 in bio for more.