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Finstatic Aquarium Supplies for Aquaculture Students

School:: DeLand High School
Subject:: Stem
Teacher:: Daniel Luby
Students Impacted:: 120
Grade:: 9-12
Date:: August 28, 2024

0% Funded

Only $1,000.00 Needed

Goal

Aquaculture is a new program at DeLand High School. Students will be learning the basics of aquarium/ fish keeping in order to understand the overarching concepts of recirculating aquaculture. Because Florida is the #1 producer of aquacultured ornamental (i.e. aquarium) fish in the United States,
the supplies used from this grant will allow students to gain valuable hands-on experience that could connect them to this $175 million per year industry.

What will be done with my students

Students will be refurbishing used aquarium equipment and outfitting the tanks with working gear. Filters, heating, substrate, and water quality test kits are but a few of the items the students will need to activate the tanks and begin careful observation of the Nitrogen cycle. Once cycled, students will begin to culture freshwater ornamental fish according to the best aquacultural management practices. They will learn fish health, biology, tank maintenance, and much more. Because the student tanks are assigned to groups, this will also be an excellent opportunity for students to work on interpersonal skills in a professional environment.

Per the FLDOE Curriculum Frameworke for Aquaculture, students will practice the following benchmarks:
01.01 Recognize and observe safety practices necessary in carrying out aquaculture activities.
01.02 Inspect, maintain and perform basic repairs on aquaculture machinery, equipment and facilities.
01.03 Safely operate aquaculture machinery and equipment.
01.04 Discuss the safety and maintenance of a re-circulating aquaculture system (RAS) including biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration, degassing, sterilization, and foam fractionation.

Benefits to my students

Student benefits include:
Hands-on learning
Connection to Aquaculture Industry
Working together for long term goals
Animal Husbandry Practices
Sound Scientific Principles
Biological Concepts
Aquacultural Experience
....and MUCH more!

Budget Narrative

Students will be utilizing the filters, test kits, and water conditioner to practice the complex chemistry of aquatic environmental conditioning. The organisms will be the aquacultural subjects.