HOME LIGHTING SHORT COURSE - CIESE



BIODYNAMIC FARMING

Tutorial Goals:

o To learn about biodynamic farming and its possible application in developing countries

o To learn about hydroponic and aquaculture systems

o To prepare teachers to implement the Biodynamic Farming instructional module of the SAGE project

Aquaponics is the term used to describe a system that combines hydroponics (growing plants without soil) and aquaculture (fish farming). This tutorial will prepare the teacher to implement the Biodynamic Farming instructional module of the Systems and Global Engineering (SAGE) project

Important Notes: Supplies and Materials

• Recommended Supplies: To prepare for building a model system as a classroom project you should read the article, Build a Mini Aquponic System. This article provides a good introduction to aquaponics and contains a list of recommended supplies for building a small scale system suitable for classroom use: (

Part 1

Why Biodynamic Farming?

Both hydroponics and aquaculture are commercially successful today. Many supermarkets sell produce that is labeled “hydroponically grown” and much of the fish served in restaurants comes from fish farms. Combining the technologies of hydroponics and aquaculture into an aquaponic system offers the possibility of creating a new kind of food production system that might be helpful to people living in developing countries. An important advantage of aquaponic systems is that they make efficient use of water, a resource that is in short supply in many locations.

Within the SAGE project, the term, “Biodynamic Farming” refers to the use of aquaponics as an appropriate technology. An appropriate technology approach focuses on understanding the needs of the user and is useful for addressing significant social and technological challenges facing people in developing countries.

Activity 1

In an aquaponic system the fish provide nutrients necessary for plant growth and the plants in turn help to clean the water that the fish live in. Large-scale systems are being successfully used in a number of locations. To learn about setting up and operating an aquaponics system on a scale that is appropriate for classroom use watch the Aquaponics = Hydroponics + Aquaculture video and read the Best of Both Worlds article.

Watch the Video: Aquaponics = Hydroponics + Aquaculture

•

Read: The Best of Both Worlds article

•

Reflection:

What is needed to construct a model biodynamic farming system? Based on the video and the reading, think about the resources you will need to build a system for your classroom. Make two lists, one for the supplies you have and a second for supplies you will need to obtain.

Activity 2: System Basics

A hydroponic system, as a subsystem of the aquaponic system, can be categorized as being active or passive. The wick system is referred to as a passive hydroponic system because it is simple and does not require the use of a pump or other hardware. Active systems are more complex but they can be combined with an aquarium to make a commercial or model aquaponic system. Common, active hydroponic systems, that have the potential of being part of an aquaponic system include: the drip, ebb-and-flow and nutrient film technique systems.

• Read the article: 4 Simple Systems

o

Reflection:

Which system do you think will be most appropriate for your classroom? Why?

Part 2

After an aquaponic system has been set up it needs to be properly maintained. Water quality is important if both the plants and fish are to thrive. Read the three short articles below to learn about the importance of pH, water testing and the nitrogen cycle.

Water pH - : Freshwater Aquariums article:

Aquarium Water Testing – Aquarium Water Testing article:

The Nitrogen Cycle - : Freshwater Aquariums article:

Reflection:

Think about the importance of the nitrogen cycle to the system. What are some of the important steps that must be taken to insure good health of the plants and the fish. How can the nitrogen cycle be monitored?

Part 3

• Review the Biodynamic Farming instructional module (). During the module students learn about biodynamic farmimg through hands-on activities that culminate in having multiple schools collaborate to design subsystems that are combined to make a working aquaponic system. During the SAGE project students exchange ideas about the subsystems using Collaboration Central as an advanced communication tool. They review the plans submitted by students in other schools and provide feedback as they work to agree on a final design.

Reflection: After reviewing the web site, think about the challenges and opportunities offered by participating in a collaborative project such as the Biodynamic Farming module.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download