D.C. Smith Greenhouse Aquaponics

In the Spring of 2023, students from Engineers for a Sustainable World partnered with D.C. Smith Greenhouse academic staff to design and build an aquaponics system where fish and plants grow symbiotically. Faculty and staff now incorporate this innovative system into their teaching and research about food sustainability. 

The system currently raises tilapia, leafy greens, peppers, and rice.

Bacteria convert the waste produced by fish into nutrients available to plants, which are being grown on rafts floating in water. By using these nutrients, the plants make the water more hospitable for the fish, allowing the water to recycle through the system.

Producing lettuce in an aquaponic or hydroponics system uses 11% of the water while producing up to 80X more than in a farm field. The increase in yield is partly due to the ability to grow year round in a controlled agricultural environment as opposed to just a few months outside. This makes aquaponics a particularly appropriate system where water and/or space is scarce like in arid climates or cities. 

An aquaponics system is a great educational tool for all levels of learners. Apart from learning about sustainability, there is also the opportunity to learn about growing vegetables, and a living ecosystem. All aspects of core STEM fields can be tied to lessons surrounding an aquaponics system. Tangible results provide students with an applied learning experience that will stay with them in the future.