Aquaponics in the Classroom. By Mason Perry, Eli Siler, Jonathan Greene, Dominick Manusos, Breanna Autry, and Matthew Lammi

Transcription

1 Aquaponics in the Classroom By Mason Perry, Eli Siler, Jonathan Greene, Dominick Manusos, Breanna Autry, and Matthew Lammi

2 Trying something new Aquaponics systems can be over 200 gallons, and take up large amounts of space. While a field trip to fish farms are available to some, not everyone has the opportunity. But what if we could create something classroom sized, even small enough to fit on a desk?

3 The goal was to create an Aquaponics system that utilized roughly 20 gallons of water. The Design Brief Materials must be easily attainable. Must fit on a table and use less than 2 x 2 of cubic space.

4 Use in the Classroom Allow students to learn more about aquaculture, as well as some new technology within farming and plant growth. Can be used with a variety of curriculums that include a technology focus, or agricultural focus. Gives the students freedom to see what works, and what won t. Promotes problem solving and creativity.

5 Possible Issues/Concerns in the Classroom Availability of a workshop or place to construct Not all grade levels can create the project Time in the classroom to work on the system Long-term Maintenance Working with live animals

6 How it works The water begins in the fish bucket. Using sealed pipes, water then finds its natural level and pours into the swirl filter. As water enters the swirl filter (using an angled elbow pipe), it swirls down, with solid waste collecting at the bottom.

7 How it works (Continued..) The water yet again finds its natural level within that bucket, and progresses into the sump tank, which provides a space for beneficial bacteria to grow. Water is pumped out of the sump tank and into the plant bucket, which transfers the nutrients to the plants. Water is put back into the fish tank using a bell siphon draining method, starting the cycle again.

8 The Bell Siphon In order to avoid having the plant s roots submerged in water at all times, a bell siphon is needed in the plant bucket. This allows the water to build up and soak the roots and then drain out all at once so that the plants can also get oxygen.

9 How a bell siphon works As the water level rises in the grow-bed, water is forced through the teeth on the bottom of the bell and up between the walls of the standpipe and bell. As the water level exceeds the height of the standpipe and the drain begins to fill, a siphon is created. Most of the water in the grow-bed is then drained by the siphon until the water level reaches the height of the teeth and tip of the snorkel. Air is then forced through the snorkel, and as a result the siphon is broken, resulting in the grow-bed beginning to fill again; the cycle then repeats itself. Fox, B. K.,Howerton, R., & Tamaru, C. S. (2010, June). Construction of Automatic Bell Siphons for Backyard Aquaponics Systems. University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Retrieved from

10 Our Experience

11 The Materials The same materials were given to each group. Each group was allowed to design their systems however they wanted, as long as they utilized a bell siphon, and it fit into the size parameters. Aside from those requirements, the groups had the freedom to do whatever they wanted.

12 The Build Each group cut holes for the 1 pipe to fit through so the water could flow between buckets. To create a watertight seal, we used pipe seal connectors between the pipe and the buckets.

13 The Build (Cont.) We then began the work on the Bell Siphon (The most challenging aspect) We started by cutting a piece of 1 PVC to fit in the bottom of the grow bucket We then cut a 2 PVC pipe to surround and fit on top of the 1 pipe.

14 The Build (Cont.) Creating holes in the bottom of the pipe allows for the water level to normalize. The height of the holes determine the resting water level. Several teams drilled holes, while some cut lines in to allow for more water, so that the seal can release

15 The Bell Siphon Once we had the pipes for the bell siphon cut, we began drilling and cutting holes in the 2 pipe. Each group used a different method of creation for the Bell Siphon. The one pictured utilized a separate pipeline to help break the vacuum seal of the water level.

16 Testing Once we had the siphons built, we began testing them to make adjustments to the pipe and hole levels. This was the most difficult part of the process, as every time the test got closer and closer to a real world test, something else would go wrong.

17 Here we are adding the bio balls to the sump pump, to help clean and filter the fish waste.

18 Some groups had trouble getting their Bell Siphons to activate and drain the water to normal levels. To get around this, 3D printed parts were made to increase the pressure within the pipes, to help start the process.

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20 Mindset in Aquaponics

21 Constructionism The word constructionism is a mnemonic for two aspects from constructivist theories of psychology we take a view of learning as a reconstruction rather than as a transmission of knowledge. Then we extend the idea of manipulative materials to the idea that learning is most effective when part of an activity the learner experiences as constructing a meaningful product.

22 The role of the teacher is to create the conditions for invention rather than provide ready-made knowledge. You can't teach people everything they need to know. The best you can do is position them where they can find what they need to know when they need to know it.

23 Questions?

24 Instructable Links 20 Gallon Aquaponics System 20 Gallon Aquaponics System with Arduino Monitoring