2020 is bringing with it an exciting design challenge to the student engineers of room 214 thanks to the generosity exhibited in our Donors Choose campaign. We have been studying the future of food as a central theme that is threaded into our 7th grade science curriculum. We have spent the last several years converting the back of our science classroom into a fully operational vertical hydroponics farm where we can grow and study various edible plant species. We have cultivated everything from micro-greens and herbs, to bountiful leafy vegetables and fruiting plants like peppers, cucumbers, and strawberries. We had been wanting to experiment with aquaponics for some time, but didn't have the resources for growing the fish needed in the nutrient reservoirs. We have now been given that opportunity.
We replaced some outdated cabinetry with eight 10 gallon fresh water aquaria that were provided in the first phase of our campaign. These have since been stocked with large mouth bass for the purpose of understanding various elements of aquaculture and food production. Students will learn about the nitrogen cycle, how the fish convert their food into biomass, and how indoor closed-system aquaponic gardens can sustainably produce both fresh produce and protein sources in out diets all year round.
In keeping with our commitment to learning electronics and coding for the purposes of monitoring and automating our farm, we are currently designing a water quality control system. It will measure pH and temperature, serve the data to an IoT platform, and automate the adjustment of aquarium conditions according to student-written algorithms. Additionally, design teams are working on CAD created enclosures and actuators that will be 3D printed and laser cut for the system. This project will be featured at the Suffolk ASSET conference later in March where students will present their work to educators and administrators from around Long Island.