New aquaponics curriculum brings STEM and sustainable agriculture to the classroom

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

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.

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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.

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🚨🚨 New episode alert!🚨🚨 Teach Me About the Great Lakes episode 104 is out!

This episode is a scientist’s dream and a nightmare of would-be organizational acronyms. Dr. Drew Gronewold, with his multiple titles and international work, introduces the TMATGL team to the Global Center for Climate Change and Transboundary Waters and the value of data. (As if we didn’t know…)

Tune in via the link in bio.

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🚨🚨 New episode alert!🚨🚨 Teach Me About the Great Lakes episode 104 is out!This episode is a scientist’s dream and a nightmare of would-be organizational acronyms. Dr. Drew Gronewold, with his multiple titles and international work, introduces the TMATGL team to the Global Center for Climate Change and Transboundary Waters and the value of data. (As if we didn’t know…)Tune in via the link in bio.

Join us in welcoming IISG’s new communications coordinator, Natty Morrison, to the team! Housed in Purdue University’s campus, Natty will develop and maintain the programs and products that promote and highlight IISG’s research, outreach and education efforts.

Full story at the link in bio.

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Join us in welcoming IISG’s new communications coordinator, Natty Morrison, to the team! Housed in Purdue University’s campus, Natty will develop and maintain the programs and products that promote and highlight IISG’s research, outreach and education efforts. Full story at the link in bio.

Located in Washington, D.C., the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources, and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. This is a one-year fellowship open to any student, regardless of citizenship, who is enrolled toward a degree in a graduate or professional program on the day of the deadline.

Students enrolled at an Illinois or Indiana university or college should submit their applications through Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant by emailing Angela Archer at amcbride@purdue.edu. Students in surrounding states without a Sea Grant program should contact the National Sea Grant College Program at oar.sg.fellows@noaa.gov for a referral.

Application deadline: February 19.

To learn more about the fellowship, visit the link in bio.

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Located in Washington, D.C., the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources, and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. This is a one-year fellowship open to any student, regardless of citizenship, who is enrolled toward a degree in a graduate or professional program on the day of the deadline.Students enrolled at an Illinois or Indiana university or college should submit their applications through Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant by emailing Angela Archer at amcbride@purdue.edu. Students in surrounding states without a Sea Grant program should contact the National Sea Grant College Program at oar.sg.fellows@noaa.gov for a referral. Application deadline: February 19.To learn more about the fellowship, visit the link in bio.
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