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Making A Splash in the Classroom

Conclusion You now have the basic knowledge to be successful in classroom aquaculture. The system can be as small or as large as you like. It can be the focus of an entire course or provide several lessons for multiple courses. The consensus on using aquaculture in the classroom is very positive. For example, Professor William Snyder, at State University of New York in Morrisville, New York, states: "For years I vainly attempted to lecture on the complex nature of biofiltration, until I began to let the students discover it themselves. Daily, they would monitor total ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Initially, they would see high ammonia levels, but low nitrite and nitrate levels. As the Nitrosomonas became established, the ammonia level would drop and the nitrite level would spike. As the Nitrobacter became established, the nitrite level would fall and the nitrate level would increase. The students would follow up by researching the effects of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate on fish." Lloyd Earnest, aquaculture instructor at Cameron High School, Cameron, West Virginia, says that aquaculture in the classroom is "a terrific teaching tool." He notes that students' creative thinking and problem-solving skills are enhanced. Cameron High School sells its tilapia to a local restaurant and also holds a public fish market on certain days. The proceeds from these sales go back into the aquaculture program. At Oakridge High School in Orlando, Florida, several recirculating systems with a capacity totalling over 4,700 gallons were installed in early 1996. The program there involves the raising of channel catfish and blue tilapia for education and consumption. At the end of the school year, a fish fry is held for the faculty, staff, and students. James Parker, aquaculture science and technology instructor, and Don Morrison, limnology instructor, use the systems to teach physical, chemical, and biological science.

New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, New Bedford, Massachusetts, purchased a 600-gallon aquaculture system a few years ago. Since then, the program has expanded with 2 more 600-gallon systems, using them to grow tilapia for the culinary art classes, and to teach high school and adult classes in aquaculture. Students think it is fun and an interesting way to learn about different kinds of fish. Rick Brown, coordinator of aquaculture and hydroponics at New Bedford, adds, "Biology, chemistry, and math principles are demonstrated through aquaculture in a life-size lab. Students respond to hands-on learning experiences." Classroom aquaculture is an attractive new approach to teaching. It is fresh, fun, and exciting. It landscapes the classroom nicely, educates on a variety of levels, and puts a smile on the faces of all who are involved. What could be better? Further Resources AquaNIC, the Aquaculture Network Information Center, is a gateway to the world's electronic resources in aquaculture. AquaNIC can be accessed on the Web at http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/aquanic/ Lee, J. S. and M. E. Newman. 1992. Aquaculture­An Introduction. Interstate Publishers, Inc., Danville, Illinois. McLarney, W. 1987. The Freshwater Aquaculture Book. Hartley and Marks, Point Roberts, Washington. Selness, D. 1996. Exploration Activities in Aquaculture. Interstate Publishers, Inc., Danville, Illinois. U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. 1995. Selected Technology Issues in U.S. Aquaculture (OTA-BP-ENV-171). Office of Technology Assessment, Washington, D.C.

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