2013-14 highlights pacs science club
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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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Highlights of the PACS Science Club
2013-14 Highlights PACS Science Club
Major Projects of 2013-2014Aquaponics
Maple Syrup
Biodiesel
2AquaponicsHydroponicsGrowing plants with waterAquacultureGrowing fishAquaponics Fish and PlantsTypes of systemsRaft SystemNutrient FilmEbb and Flow
Our SystemsNutrient Film (Aquaponics)(10) blue Nile tilapiaVariety of vegetables
Raft system (Hydroponics) Lettuce Artificial nutrient Ebb and Flow (Hydroponics)Tomatoes Artificial nutrient Future of Aqua/HydroponicsDouble our growing capacity
Begin selling vegetables on FridaysFarmers market setting at school
Other Experiences w/ Aqua/HydroponicsField trip to SUNY MorrisvilleGreenhousesFish farming (aquaculture)Aquaponics
Learning about plants and food productionNutrient deficiencies
Maple SyrupThree-phase projectConstructing evaporatorsCollecting/evaporating sapBottling/Marketing syrup
Constructing Evaporators Used repurposed/recycled materials
Carbon-neutral fuel source (biodiesel)
Collecting/Evaporating SapOver 100 taps amongst 7 club members
Pre-concentrate 2% sap to 6% sap using reverse osmosis
Boil ~15 gallons per hourWe 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 SyrupWe sell pints for $8 and quarts for $15Selling in school faculty roomsWill 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
BiodieselUsed vegetable oil donated by local restaurants
Biodiesel is made in our 25 gallon reactorMethanol/ lyeByproduct glycerin
Process of converting vegetable oil to a less viscous fuel
Used in our maple syrup evaporator
Future of our biodiesel processorOur goal is to use our processor as a demonstrative tool for other schools and the community
Produce biodiesel for the 2015 syrup season
FundingMajor 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 Lowes.
District support through the Science ClubFuture GoalsRenovate high school courtyard with greenhouses/aquaponics pondIncorporate alternative energy (wind, solar)
Create tenth period STEM connections courseMore in-depth learning about plants and alternative fuelsMore 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