Kenneth Camp

Camp’s innovative teaching idea, “Aquaponics Greenhouse,” focuses on an expansion of the school’s already successful aquaponics program. The current aquaponics system boasts tanks of around 300 tilapia, 150 goldfish, and 50 catfish fertilizing 3 grow beds, where tomatoes, peppers, numerous herbs, coleus, strawberries, ginger, zinnias, okra and bananas are harvested and sold in the community. The system serves as the focus for several rigorous year-long inquiry-based student research projects that help to maintain and improve the system. However, the current system has outgrown its greenhouse and the Voya grant will be used to provide materials for the construction of a separate, larger greenhouse. The larger greenhouse would serve as a source for additional S.T.E.M. inspired research and senior projects for students while standing as a community crown jewel. Camp hopes to build a model STEM curriculum program with larger facilities.