In an urban school with no access to the natural world, it is a challenge to both teach and learn the science of life to its fullest extent. My students spend their days and nights isolated in the concrete urban sprawl of Los Angeles. With the use of technology, media, computer simulations, literature, and laboratory activities, I do the best that I can to give my students enriching experiences to foster long-term understanding of biology and a full appreciation of the complexities of life. I would like to take this one step further and bring actual life into my life-science classroom by use of an aquaponics system.
The aquaponics system will serve these underserved students as living laboratory - a model with which can explore the many facets of a living system. If you are unfamiliar, an aquaponics system is hydroponic system in which plants, animals, and bacteria recycle matter and energy. This system is a model of how all life exists together on earth, and is a perfect example of an simplified ecosystem.
The construction of the system itself will provide an opportunity to explore science and engineering practices which are applicable to many disciplines. The fish provide an opportunity for students to learn the basic requirements of animals - from the necessary macromolecules to the environmental conditions. The plants will provide an opportunity for students to observe the growth and development of plants, and the mechanism of photosynthesis. In addition, students will be able to observe and study the critical processes which allow animals and plants to live together in harmony, even within a closed system. Students will learn innovative ways to grow food in an urban setting, and repurpose materials to increase the sustainability of a system.
About my class
In an urban school with no access to the natural world, it is a challenge to both teach and learn the science of life to its fullest extent. My students spend their days and nights isolated in the concrete urban sprawl of Los Angeles. With the use of technology, media, computer simulations, literature, and laboratory activities, I do the best that I can to give my students enriching experiences to foster long-term understanding of biology and a full appreciation of the complexities of life. I would like to take this one step further and bring actual life into my life-science classroom by use of an aquaponics system.
The aquaponics system will serve these underserved students as living laboratory - a model with which can explore the many facets of a living system. If you are unfamiliar, an aquaponics system is hydroponic system in which plants, animals, and bacteria recycle matter and energy. This system is a model of how all life exists together on earth, and is a perfect example of an simplified ecosystem.
The construction of the system itself will provide an opportunity to explore science and engineering practices which are applicable to many disciplines. The fish provide an opportunity for students to learn the basic requirements of animals - from the necessary macromolecules to the environmental conditions. The plants will provide an opportunity for students to observe the growth and development of plants, and the mechanism of photosynthesis. In addition, students will be able to observe and study the critical processes which allow animals and plants to live together in harmony, even within a closed system. Students will learn innovative ways to grow food in an urban setting, and repurpose materials to increase the sustainability of a system.
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