Wells Fargo, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation presented a check for a $50,000 grant toward the Wekiva High School Aquaponics STEM Learning Project on Monday, October 31, at the high school’s media center.
The check presentation, along with breakfast and a tour of the aquaponics lab, kicked off a two-day aquaponics workshop agenda for October 31 and Tuesday, November 1. Students of WHS’s culinary arts program served the breakfast with produce that were grown in the lab.
The aquaponics workshop feature keynote speakers such as Dr. James Rakocy, the world-renowned “father of aquaponics,” and Huy Tran, owner of Apopka Aquaponics Farms. Workshop topics include the status of aquaponics in 2016, engineering, and fish and plant selection.
The Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities grant will finance an expansion of the school’s aquaponics project, enhancing their agriscience magnet program and experiential learning for students in STEM classes.
Through the grant, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Wells Fargo have expressed their support of the expansion plans that have been laid out through 2018, according to an OCPS press release.
The initiative will also provide professional development for teachers in STEM through aquaponics, real-world STEM learning opportunities for students, community service, and parent and community engagement.
The result will be healthy and efficient food production shared within the community, water conservation, and, ultimately, enhanced teaching and student learning through aquaponics, the press release states.
Other key partners and participants include University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Professor Frank Chapman; Dr. Wilson Lennard of the Aquaponics Doctors; Dr. Fred Petitt, Agriculture and Water Sciences Director for Walt Disney World; and the St. Johns Water Management System.
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