Buena Regional Middle School incorporated aquaponics into the horticulture program. The set-up includes a 30-gallon fish tank, guppies, and a reservoir that holds vegetable plants and recycled water from the fish tank. We found that getting the pH of the water correct for both plants and fish to be very challenging, and it is still something we are going to spend time researching and exploring until we get it right. I have learned there is a more positive outcome to this system being in a classroom besides the learning aspect of plants.
There is a mental health aspect that I have seen. The students and teachers have both enjoyed watching the fish interact with each other! They ask questions (for kids and adults) about the purpose of the tank, how the fish survive, how they have seen babies (fry) in the tank and asked questions about how they give live birth instead of laying eggs, and so much more. The sound of the falling water and just watching the fish have been very soothing and calming for both kids.