At first glance, room 301 looks like any other door to a classroom, but it’s actually an entrance to a large aquaponics lab at Willingboro High School. It’s called Project Wakanda.
The 30 students who run the lab say it’s piqued their interest in pursuing STEM careers.
“When the idea was first introduced to me I found it kind of weird because no one thinks about fish poop going into their food, it’s not intriguing at all. But then when you think about the health benefits and stuff and it’s healthier then getting processed foods,” said freshman Naviana Anthony.
“When I first learned about it I thought it was crazy. I was like, ‘You can’t grow vegetables with water.’ When I actually saw it, I thought it was great idea and that we can help our school because this is bigger than just our school,” said freshman Thomas Ford.
“Each little component contributes to something bigger, you know. And then the outcome is just amazing and beautiful. All of us kids, we came together and we were having fun while doing it. All the adults kind of just stepped back and let us do our thing,” said Geena Armstrong, a freshman at the high school.
“Just taking time and teaching children like the correct way to do it without any harmful hormones in their food and everything. I think this is what we need,” said senior Aleah Levister-Long.