Russell Nail and Cole Sampson

Nail’s and Sampson’s innovative teaching idea, “Aquaponic Gardening,” will give students a new perspective on farming with insights into efficient use of land, water, energy and ecological resources. Students will research, engineer and build a system to capture, filter and recycle water from the school’s culinary kitchen to use in an aquaponic gardening project. Aquaponic gardens are self-sustaining environments that allow both crops and aquatic animals that have a symbiotic relationship to live together in harmony. The project will provide students with real-life examples of solar power production, photosynthesis and the water cycle. Additionally, students will gain knowledge and hands-on experience with the lifecycle of aquatic animals, such as shrimp and fish. The project will also empower students to apply “green” concepts to working examples of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum they can use and experience.