The Paterson Board of Education has approved the installation of an aquaponics lab at the Joseph A. Taub School, a project aimed at enhancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education through hands-on, sustainable learning experiences. Partnering with Drop the Beet Farms, the initiative will cost no more than $18,000.
Aquaponics combines aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (cultivating plants without soil), creating a sustainable agricultural model. The lab will offer students the chance to explore environmental science, agriculture, and sustainable development.
The 30x30-foot lab will feature movable hydroponic units and Dutch bucket systems to maximize efficiency. With the capacity to yield 3,600 heads of lettuce, 3,120 bunches of basil, and 960 pounds of tomatoes and cucumbers annually, the lab is expected to serve multiple purposes, from enriching the curriculum to supporting farm-to-school events and community outreach.
Currently, all sixth-grade students at the school have access to the lab, with plans to expand opportunities to seventh and eighth-graders through after-school programs. The lab integrates into the existing curriculum by focusing on weather, water cycles, and the life cycles of fish and plants, creating a multidisciplinary approach to learning.
Read more at Tap Into Paterson