Laboratory Aquaponics: Bringing Fish Farming, Gardening, and Miniature Biospheres into the Everyday Classroom

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2016, Volume 37

Peter J. Park, Michael E. Huster, & Catarina Mata

Abstract

This lab introduces the use of an aquaponic system to teach ecology concepts and practical applications of aquarium fish keeping and maintaining a garden. Aquaponics is a method of keeping/farming aquatic animals (e.g., fish, aquatic invertebrates) and vegetables (or fruits) simultaneously, using an inter-connected system designed to utilize nitrogenous wastes generated by aquatic animals to fertilize plants growing in a soil-less growing bed. In this lab, students learn how to collect weekly data on the growth of the red kidney bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris). As extensions, instructors may use an ecosphere, which can serve as a model of a biosphere. This work was supported by an ABLE 2012 Roberta Williams Laboratory Teaching Initiative Grant.

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