Not just a fishing expedition: Aquaponics 9th Grade Environmental Science field trip

Ms. Jenkins sends along this photo of her 9th Grade Environmental Science field trip:

Aquaponics Field Trip to Cylburn Arboretum

Hmmn, but what IS that? 

That's the aquaponics system at Cylburn Arboretum. 

The aquaponics project at Cylburn is the result of a research grant initiated by Hopkins' Center for  Livable Future, which is housed in their School of Public Health. This spring Ms. Jenkins' and Ms. Kinder's 9th grade science classes spent some time discussing the nitrogen cycle in the agriculture unit.  The aquaponics system at Cylburn harnesses different aspects of the nitrogen cycle in its closed loop system in order to grow fish sustainably in the big tanks. The leafy greens then thrive on the nutrients produced by fish waste. Neat stuff!