Integrated aquaculture in the elementary school curriculum

Title : Integrated aquaculture in the elementary school curriculum

Abstract:

The combination of aquaculture and hydroponics has found a strong support structure in Tucson, Arizona. Tucson has had the benefit of research professors, Kevin Fitzsimmons and Gene Giacomelli at the University of Arizona. Fitzsimmons championed aquaculture in local high schools and the Future Farmers of America clubs utilized the technology. Giacomelli ran the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center and fostered research in integrating the two systems. Local residents became interested and took up the concept in their backyards. James Ebeling moved to the area and supported local high schools as well as the community outreach programs. This  author was involved in all the programs and assisted Ebeling in designing Tucson’s first commercial aquaponics facility as well as its educational outreach program for Tucson Unified School District.

Biography:

Ms. Hesley studied Education at Arizona State University, USA, and graduated with a Master's of Education in 1997. She taught STEM to K-8 students. She received her Master of Science degree in 2015 at the University of Arizona in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. After three years of teaching engineering to young students, she became grant writer and curriculum developer for CropKing, Inc., which sells greenhouses, hydroponics, and aquaculture equipment.  Ms. Hesley is now assisting in the development of an alternative high school graduation certificate for Ohio Board of Education.  She has spoken internationally at conferences on the benefits of aquaponics in the classroom