Sustainable Food Production Education in the Classroom

By Aquaponics New Zealand Ltd

NZ $3,154 pledged


23 people pledged


Closed


NZ $3,000 minimum target


100 100% Complete

This campaign was successful and closed on 05/02/2021 at 5:00 PM.

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About

Sustainable Food Production Education In The Classroom

Project 2021-01-11 20:02:06 +1300

We want to see Sustainable Food Production Education in every school and every classroom.

The EcoStation uses fish to grow vegetables and herbs in a recirculating soilless ecosystem. We can not only give our young access to healthy greens and herbs but also provide opportunity to enrich the curriculum for students and teachers with an interactive, hands on tool for learning.

The system may be used to demonstrate concepts such as:

- Plant and animal anatomy

- Photosynthesis and respiration

- Living systems

- The Nitrogen Cycle

- The role of bacteria in ecology

- The function of water in ecology

- The science of sustainable agriculture

- Climate change and ecological issues

and many others, all while caring for fish and plants, germinating seeds, and harvesting vegetables.

We have developed a curriculum designed around the Aquaponic Ecostation. Once the EcoStation is assembled and running our NZ Curriculum linked lessons may be implemented over year levels 1 - 12 making it a versatile and comprehensive tool to enrich the science curriculum in schools or at home. ​

The future of sustainable indoor herb gardens. Veges and Herbs at your finger tips and best of all no watering or weeding. Automated with smart technology to ensure success. The EcoStation includes an automated full spectrum grow light suitable for all plants, you can adjust the height to match growth, automatic fan to provide good air flow and protect against mildew, smart chip to remember settings in case of an unplanned power outage. Have your fish and grow at the same time. Add your EcoStation to your kitchen and have fresh, delicious herbs available all year round.

http://www.aquaponicsnz.com/ecostation

Comments

Updates 6

You need to pledge to see this update.

Yeahaa we made it!!

29/01/2021 at 10:56 PM

Wahoo! We made our goal and already requests from schools are pouring in from all over NZ! 2021 will be a good year for sustainable food production education! #nzap #sustainability #aquaponics #organic #urbanfarming 

So close yet so far... now is time to share

28/01/2021 at 4:50 PM

Aquaponics is biomimicry. The relationship between plants and animals in nature.

 

Starting with southern Chinese farmers in the 6th Century. Rice paddies have been a staple of Chinese agriculture since 11000BC- much longer than recorded history. Unsurprisingly, the rice farmers experimented and refined their techniques over thousands of years. This culminated in the 6th Century, in which ducks, fish, and rice plants were used to create an early version aquaponics system.

 

The system has a beautifully simple elegance. Peking ducks kept in the rice paddies would eat insects, pests, and small fish. The nutrient rich duck waste would be eaten by the fish (most commonly oriental loach and/or swamp eel). The fish waste would be broken down by nitrifying bacteria, and the rice plants would clean this nutrient ‘waste’ and thrive as a result.

 

As well as free fertilizer, the farmers got free fish food from the ducks, and free duck food from the insects attracted by the rice paddies. The farmers had great control over this aquaponic system, even creating stepped terraces to create micro-climates and control the evaporation and flow of water.

 

Keep it simple do what nature does, with Aquaponics. 😊

1 week done - you all are making a difference!

22/01/2021 at 8:02 PM

Wow, you guys are amazing thanks!

You know the EcoStation is awesome for lots of reasons. One being our young can learn about roots in the sense of plant biology and metaphorically as roots of who we are or want to become.

Our roots are firmly bedded in whanau, who taught us the value of food, abundance and the enviroment.

We now want the grassroots of our communities, the next generation to learn and make tomorrows world a little better, a little more abundant, and for them to understand, value and protect the environment.

You are part of this and thank you for all your support so far!

Our Vision

To provide sustainable, naturally grown, quality food production systems and produce to all New Zealanders. To provide a solution to sustainable urban community sourced agriculture, reducing pollution, reducing demand and use on fresh water, and promoting sustainable environmentally friendly farming.

EcoStation 5.5 weeks EcoStation week 5.5 1

You need to pledge to see this update.

Wahoo halfway to our minimum target

16/01/2021 at 9:17 AM

Thanks everyone! Together we are providing an amazing opportunity for schools to enrich the learning experience. Keep updated and in touch.

Don't forget to share this pledgeme page with your community.

    Pledgers 23

    Anonymous pledger
    05/02/2021 at 2:52pm

    "Fantastic idea!"

    Bhupinder Singh
    31/01/2021 at 2:18pm
    Jackie Mander
    28/01/2021 at 8:31pm

    "A worthwhile project. Proud of you Nick and Jen"

    Anonymous pledger
    26/01/2021 at 10:45pm

    "I can see the real value in teaching our kids the science behind sustainable food production. Bonus that it protects and conserves out waterways by using 90% less water!!! Awesome!!" Good luck"

    Patrick whyte
    26/01/2021 at 6:24am
    Sophie Chapman
    25/01/2021 at 10:06pm
    Philip Chapman
    25/01/2021 at 10:09am
    Philip Chapman
    25/01/2021 at 10:09am
    David Mc Carthy
    24/01/2021 at 1:16am
    Michael van Vledder
    23/01/2021 at 6:36pm

    "All the best guys! "

    Cearna Mckenzie
    23/01/2021 at 6:18pm

    "This is a great initiative, wishing you only the best. "

    Paul McCarthy
    22/01/2021 at 1:36pm

    "Name: Patrick & Emilia McCarthy School: Please choose a local school near Tim and Lynn"

    Shane McCarthy
    22/01/2021 at 1:01pm
    Colin
    21/01/2021 at 4:01pm
    Joe
    18/01/2021 at 7:29am
    Anonymous pledger
    17/01/2021 at 5:24pm

    "Good luck!! NH"

    Anthony
    17/01/2021 at 7:39am

    "Great idea"

    Tony Chapman
    16/01/2021 at 7:58pm
    Clare
    16/01/2021 at 11:33am
    Anonymous pledger
    16/01/2021 at 2:02am

    "I fully support the implementation of your training plans and supplying the systems to schools enable our young ones to learn, develop, and grow from such unique knowledge/experiences. I hope others also see the huge benefits that are possible once these becomes more mainstream. Good luck, and keep pushing this forward! "

    Cathy Hemsworth
    15/01/2021 at 8:24pm

    "We are thrilled to support this amazing campaign and encourage others to do the same. This is a practical learning tool towards sustainability and feeding families economically. Cathy and David Hemsworth"

    Tim Chapman
    15/01/2021 at 7:41pm
    Anonymous pledger
    15/01/2021 at 6:36pm

    Followers

    Followers of Sustainable Food Production Education in the Classroom

    Sustainable Food Production Education In The Classroom

    Project 2021-01-11 20:02:06 +1300

    We want to see Sustainable Food Production Education in every school and every classroom.

    The EcoStation uses fish to grow vegetables and herbs in a recirculating soilless ecosystem. We can not only give our young access to healthy greens and herbs but also provide opportunity to enrich the curriculum for students and teachers with an interactive, hands on tool for learning.

    The system may be used to demonstrate concepts such as:

    - Plant and animal anatomy

    - Photosynthesis and respiration

    - Living systems

    - The Nitrogen Cycle

    - The role of bacteria in ecology

    - The function of water in ecology

    - The science of sustainable agriculture

    - Climate change and ecological issues

    and many others, all while caring for fish and plants, germinating seeds, and harvesting vegetables.

    We have developed a curriculum designed around the Aquaponic Ecostation. Once the EcoStation is assembled and running our NZ Curriculum linked lessons may be implemented over year levels 1 - 12 making it a versatile and comprehensive tool to enrich the science curriculum in schools or at home. ​

    The future of sustainable indoor herb gardens. Veges and Herbs at your finger tips and best of all no watering or weeding. Automated with smart technology to ensure success. The EcoStation includes an automated full spectrum grow light suitable for all plants, you can adjust the height to match growth, automatic fan to provide good air flow and protect against mildew, smart chip to remember settings in case of an unplanned power outage. Have your fish and grow at the same time. Add your EcoStation to your kitchen and have fresh, delicious herbs available all year round.

    http://www.aquaponicsnz.com/ecostation

    Comments

    You need to pledge to see this update.

    Yeahaa we made it!!

    29/01/2021 at 10:56 PM

    Wahoo! We made our goal and already requests from schools are pouring in from all over NZ! 2021 will be a good year for sustainable food production education! #nzap #sustainability #aquaponics #organic #urbanfarming 

    So close yet so far... now is time to share

    28/01/2021 at 4:50 PM

    Aquaponics is biomimicry. The relationship between plants and animals in nature.

     

    Starting with southern Chinese farmers in the 6th Century. Rice paddies have been a staple of Chinese agriculture since 11000BC- much longer than recorded history. Unsurprisingly, the rice farmers experimented and refined their techniques over thousands of years. This culminated in the 6th Century, in which ducks, fish, and rice plants were used to create an early version aquaponics system.

     

    The system has a beautifully simple elegance. Peking ducks kept in the rice paddies would eat insects, pests, and small fish. The nutrient rich duck waste would be eaten by the fish (most commonly oriental loach and/or swamp eel). The fish waste would be broken down by nitrifying bacteria, and the rice plants would clean this nutrient ‘waste’ and thrive as a result.

     

    As well as free fertilizer, the farmers got free fish food from the ducks, and free duck food from the insects attracted by the rice paddies. The farmers had great control over this aquaponic system, even creating stepped terraces to create micro-climates and control the evaporation and flow of water.

     

    Keep it simple do what nature does, with Aquaponics. 😊

    1 week done - you all are making a difference!

    22/01/2021 at 8:02 PM

    Wow, you guys are amazing thanks!

    You know the EcoStation is awesome for lots of reasons. One being our young can learn about roots in the sense of plant biology and metaphorically as roots of who we are or want to become.

    Our roots are firmly bedded in whanau, who taught us the value of food, abundance and the enviroment.

    We now want the grassroots of our communities, the next generation to learn and make tomorrows world a little better, a little more abundant, and for them to understand, value and protect the environment.

    You are part of this and thank you for all your support so far!

    Our Vision

    To provide sustainable, naturally grown, quality food production systems and produce to all New Zealanders. To provide a solution to sustainable urban community sourced agriculture, reducing pollution, reducing demand and use on fresh water, and promoting sustainable environmentally friendly farming.

    EcoStation 5.5 weeks EcoStation week 5.5 1

    You need to pledge to see this update.

    Wahoo halfway to our minimum target

    16/01/2021 at 9:17 AM

    Thanks everyone! Together we are providing an amazing opportunity for schools to enrich the learning experience. Keep updated and in touch.

    Don't forget to share this pledgeme page with your community.

      Anonymous pledger
      05/02/2021 at 2:52pm

      "Fantastic idea!"

      Bhupinder Singh
      31/01/2021 at 2:18pm
      Jackie Mander
      28/01/2021 at 8:31pm

      "A worthwhile project. Proud of you Nick and Jen"

      Anonymous pledger
      26/01/2021 at 10:45pm

      "I can see the real value in teaching our kids the science behind sustainable food production. Bonus that it protects and conserves out waterways by using 90% less water!!! Awesome!!" Good luck"

      Patrick whyte
      26/01/2021 at 6:24am
      Sophie Chapman
      25/01/2021 at 10:06pm
      Philip Chapman
      25/01/2021 at 10:09am
      Philip Chapman
      25/01/2021 at 10:09am
      David Mc Carthy
      24/01/2021 at 1:16am
      Michael van Vledder
      23/01/2021 at 6:36pm

      "All the best guys! "

      Cearna Mckenzie
      23/01/2021 at 6:18pm

      "This is a great initiative, wishing you only the best. "

      Paul McCarthy
      22/01/2021 at 1:36pm

      "Name: Patrick & Emilia McCarthy School: Please choose a local school near Tim and Lynn"

      Shane McCarthy
      22/01/2021 at 1:01pm
      Colin
      21/01/2021 at 4:01pm
      Joe
      18/01/2021 at 7:29am
      Anonymous pledger
      17/01/2021 at 5:24pm

      "Good luck!! NH"

      Anthony
      17/01/2021 at 7:39am

      "Great idea"

      Tony Chapman
      16/01/2021 at 7:58pm
      Clare
      16/01/2021 at 11:33am
      Anonymous pledger
      16/01/2021 at 2:02am

      "I fully support the implementation of your training plans and supplying the systems to schools enable our young ones to learn, develop, and grow from such unique knowledge/experiences. I hope others also see the huge benefits that are possible once these becomes more mainstream. Good luck, and keep pushing this forward! "

      Cathy Hemsworth
      15/01/2021 at 8:24pm

      "We are thrilled to support this amazing campaign and encourage others to do the same. This is a practical learning tool towards sustainability and feeding families economically. Cathy and David Hemsworth"

      Tim Chapman
      15/01/2021 at 7:41pm
      Anonymous pledger
      15/01/2021 at 6:36pm

      Followers of Sustainable Food Production Education in the Classroom

      This campaign was successful and got its funding on 05/02/2021 at 5:00 PM.
      A Personalised Thank You
      Your Name On The EcoStation!
      EcoStation