ABCs: Aquaponics Biotechnology in Classrooms

As the world witnessed with the groundbreaking COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, biotechnology is a rapidly evolving field. BIOL 101: General Biology is a General Education Foundation course taken by students who are not majoring in biology or a core science field. Engagement, attendance, and participation are daily challenges not to mention the noteworthy D/F/W rate in this large lecture, freshman course. To combat these obstacles, I incorporate technology, emerging issues, local concerns, community service, and educational outreach to the curriculum. Over a third of the BIOL 101 curriculum focuses on biotechnology and environmental biology and as such, being able to explore this curriculum hands-on would be invaluable. For this project, we established aquaphonics - the technology of aquaculture, or fish farming, with hydroponics, or growing plants without soil – at a local elementary school. Two 4th grade and one 5th grade classrooms at North Elementary were outfitted with an aquaphonics system during the 2020-2021 academic year. The elementary students successfully grew cilantro and then applied their mathematic skills to make their own salsa. Lettuce was also grown and consumed. With COVID-19 restrictions, BIOL 101 student direct involvement was not possible. However, three teachers and over 75 elementary students were educated in this biotechnology. And BIOL 101 students were challenged to design “at home” mini aquaponic systems with an empty spaghetti jar, a dash of miracle grow, and rockwool for the elementary students. With the continuation of this project and a return to social interactions and in-person instruction at the University, I hope to 1) incorporate homework assignments and reflections into the BIOL 101 curriculum, 2) evaluate the potential for the addition of aquaponics and/or hydroponic laboratory activities in the BIOL 103 and BIOL 104: General Biology laboratory, 3) share this project with the BIOL 105: Environmental Biology course, and 4) develop this project as a long-term educational outreach activity that would be implemented in additional schools.

Jennifer Ripley Stueckle

TEACHING ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, NON-MAJORS BIOLOGY PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Jennifer Ripley Stueckle is a Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Biology. She is the BIOL 101-104 non-majors program director and serves as the program director for the BIOL 101-104 High School ACCESS Early College program.