2013-14 Highlights PACS Science Club

Major Projects of 2013-2014

Aquaponics

Maple Syrup

Biodiesel

Aquaponics

Hydroponics Growing plants with water

Aquaculture Growing fish

Aquaponics Fish and Plants

Types of systems Raft System Nutrient Film Ebb and Flow

Our Systems

Nutrient Film (Aquaponics) (10) blue Nile tilapia Variety of vegetables Raft system

(Hydroponics) Lettuce Artificial nutrient

Ebb and Flow (Hydroponics) Tomatoes Artificial nutrient

Future of Aqua/Hydroponics Double our

growing capacity

Begin selling vegetables on Fridays Farmers market

setting at school

Other Experiences w/ Aqua/Hydroponics

Field trip to SUNY Morrisville Greenhouses Fish farming

(aquaculture) Aquaponics

Learning about plants and food production Nutrient deficiencies

Maple Syrup

Three-phase project Constructing evaporators Collecting/evaporating sap Bottling/Marketing syrup

Constructing Evaporators

Used repurposed/recycled materials

Carbon-neutral fuel source (biodiesel)

Collecting/Evaporating Sap

Over 100 taps amongst 7 club members

Pre-concentrate 2% sap to 6% sap using reverse osmosis

Boil ~15 gallons per hour We can make about 1 gallon

of syrup per hour!

Reverse Osmosis

Reduces water content in sap by 75%

Reduces fuel usage by 75%

Greatly increases rate of production

Bottling/Marketing Syrup

We sell pints for $8 and quarts for $15 Selling in school faculty rooms Will be selling at farmers markets,

online, and school-sponsored events

Proceeds will be put aside to fund improvements to the syrup club for next year

Biodiesel

Used vegetable oil donated by local restaurants

Biodiesel is made in our 25 gallon reactor Methanol/ lye Byproduct glycerin

Process of converting vegetable oil to a less viscous fuel

Used in our maple syrup evaporator

Future of our biodiesel processor

Our goal is to use our processor as a demonstrative tool for other schools and the community

Produce biodiesel for the 2015 syrup season

Funding

Major funding for our projects comes from a $2400 Community Endowment Fund grant

Also received a $500 grant from the Science Teachers Association of New York State

$1100 grant through SUNY Oswego

We were awarded a $5000 corporate grant through Lowe’s.

District support through the Science Club

Future Goals

Renovate high school courtyard with greenhouses/aquaponics pond Incorporate alternative energy (wind, solar)

Create tenth period STEM connections course More in-depth learning about plants and alternative fuels More time for research and data analysis

Double our syrup production for next year

Increase student body involvement

Increase community involvement

Create an understanding of the importance for environmental conservation, change, and get people to understand the importance of sustainability