Palmer Trinity School

T H E N E W A Q U A L A B A T P T S The Sustainability program at PTS continues to work toward achieving an environmentally sustainable future. As we envision a world that respects our planet and its inhabitants, we look for ways to implement opportunities for education and research. PTS has kept up with the changing times and promoted environmental stewardship on campus, most recently, the Aqua Lab. This new school year allowed for a new space that will serve students for years to come. Using state-of-the- art equipment, the Aqua Lab allows students to conduct experiments and scientific investigations in the areas of aquaponics, marine biology, and freshwater ecology. With a complete aquaponics system, students could use the Mini Fish Farm™ to grow fresh, unpolluted fish throughout the year, among other experiments. Here, students could learn more about environmental factors, as they observe the benefits of hydroponics. The Aqua Lab has the combined benefits of education, exploration, and food production. The different areas in the Aqua Lab for hydroponics and aquaponics are ideal for hands-on learning for all grade levels. Small aquaria such as the CUBE 20 Waterbox for both saltwater and freshwater can be used for independent investigations. Eight Water Garden Duo aquaponics systems are ideal for repeatable experiments where variables can be manipulated. In the inaugural year of the IB program, biology students are using the resources in the Aqua Lab to test salinity and pH levels on microgreens and barley. Their experiments in this space will count as a major part of earning the IB Diploma. The Aqua Lab is available for both middle school and upper school students in any discipline at Palmer Trinity School. And it is not just about science! The lab also houses water-related student art work. The space features murals by A IDA N L E V Y ' 2 1, showing us the intersection between art and science in the work of advocacy. Thank you to Dr. Leo Llinás and Traci Holstein for their dedication to the Aqua Lab. FE AT UR E S OF T HE AQUA L A B The Aqua Lab has state-of-the-art equipment, including a complete aquaponics system: the Mini Fish Farm™. Smaller tanks, including the indoor hydroponics growth system OPCOM Farm GrowBox. CUBE 20 Waterbox aquariums for both saltwater and freshwater investigations. Water Garden Duo aquaponics systems for independent research. BENEFI T S OF AQUA P ONIC S Aquaponics mimics the natural relationship between fish and plants: the waste produced by farmed fish supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purifies the water. Aquaponics uses less water than traditional farming and does not release harmful fertilizer runoff into the watershed. 25

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