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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #394774
Research Project: Enhancing the Production of Hybrid Striped Bass Through Improved Genetics, Nutrition, Production Management, and Fish Health

Location: Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr

Title: Use of aquaculture and aquaponics in high schools to teach environmental and ecological concepts

Author
item THOMPSON, KENNETH - Kentucky State University
item Webster, Carl
item POMPER, KIRK - Kentucky State University
item KRALL, REBECCA - University Of Kentucky
item TIDWELL, JAMES - Kentucky State University

Submitted to: World Aquaculture Magazine
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: A study was conducted to examine the effects of a 10-week long authentic aquaponics project-based investigation (APBI) unit, measure changes in students’ understanding of the phenomena carrying capacity and bacterial nitrification process (via target concepts) and increase their knowledge of ecosystems and related ecological relationships. The study also examined the effects of the unit on participating high school students’ attitudes toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), aquaculture and aquaponics, and interests in future STEM-related disciplines and/or STEM career pathways. Results from this study revealed that an authentic, hands-on APBI intervention contributed to students’ content understanding of ecological relationships and concepts. The results also revealed that the curriculum contributed to the treatment group students’ positive attitudes toward STEM in general, and aquaculture and aquaponics in particular. Overall, this study exemplifies how an authentic, hands-on aquaponics project-based intervention can increase high school level student attitudes toward STEM and developing an interest in STEM disciplines and/or STEM career pursuits. The evidence from this study also suggest that some students developed an interest in aquaculture fields after participating in the project.

Technical Abstract: A study was conducted to examine the effects of a 10-week long authentic aquaponics project-based investigation (APBI) unit, measure changes in students’ understanding of the phenomena carrying capacity and bacterial nitrification process (via target concepts) and increase their knowledge of ecosystems and related ecological relationships. The study also examined the effects of the unit on participating high school students’ attitudes toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), aquaculture and aquaponics, and interests in future STEM-related disciplines and/or STEM career pathways. Results from this study revealed that an authentic, hands-on APBI intervention contributed to students’ content understanding of ecological relationships and concepts. The results also revealed that the curriculum contributed to the treatment group students’ positive attitudes toward STEM in general, and aquaculture and aquaponics in particular. Overall, this study exemplifies how an authentic, hands-on aquaponics project-based intervention can increase high school level student attitudes toward STEM and developing an interest in STEM disciplines and/or STEM career pursuits. The evidence from this study also suggest that some students developed an interest in aquaculture fields after participating in the project.