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US (PA): Students of all ages collaborate on aquaponics project

When you walk into the greenhouse behind Joe Walker Elementary School in South Franklin Township, you’re greeted by a 110-gallon tank filled with 27 large tilapia.

Next to the tank are long troughs covered by dozens of “rafts” on which a variety of greens, including parsley, rosemary and cabbage, are sprouting.

Students can produce fish, fruit and vegetables year-round in the climate-controlled, close-looped system.

The Joe Walker greenhouse was funded by several grants, including a Highmark for Healthy Eating grant, a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) grant, and a grant from the Washington County Community Foundation. More than 30 students at Joe Walker and Claysville Elementary schools and McGuffey Middle School/High School underwent training to operate the greenhouse – and to teach their peers and teachers about aquaponics – but all students in grades K-12 get the opportunity to help run the aquaponics system.

Students often stay after school and come in on weekends to keep the system running and to figure out how to make it operate more efficiently.

“It’s their space, and the kids run this show, which is how it should be, and everyone has a role. Every morning, (students) come in, feed the fish, make sure everything is running well,” said Jacob, who noted elementary, middle school and high school students all have specific jobs that contribute to the operation of the greenhouse, from raising red worms (for composting) to planning a tilapia breeding station.

Read more at the Observer-Reporter
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