Milwaukee Public Schools Aquaponics Program
Rochelle Sandrin
Food Safety in the Classroom
What is Aquaponics? • Aquaponics is the practice of raising
fish and plants together in a mutually beneficial cycle
Rufus King Aquaponics
Rochelle Sandrin
• Biology Teacher
• Newer to teaching
• Looking for engaging science lessons
• USDA grant through MPS
How do you get started??
• Buy-in – Administration – District
• Build partnerships – Community organizations – Community Businesses – Community Members
• Funding – School Budget – Grants
Why Aquaponics
• As an educational tool
– Inquiry based and hands-on learning
• For our population of students
– A need for a practical science course
• Big picture – locally, world-wide
– Milwaukee is on the forefront of the movement nationally
– Being adapted world-wide
The Evolution
• The Big System
• The inclusion of the mini-systems
• The Curriculum
Food Safety Concerns
• Water temperature
• Species of Fish
• Type of produce
• System Location
• Harvesting
• Preparation
• Eating!
• Training
District Participation
• Embracing NGSS
• Increased Engagement
– Students
– Teachers
• Support
• Funding
• Training
Resources
• Rochelle Sandrin – MPS
– (414) 475-8820
• Jesse Blom – Sweetwater Foundation
– www.sweetwaterfoundation.com
– (414) 215-9676
Milwaukee Public Schools Aquaponics Program
MPS Board of School Directors
Michael Bonds, Ph.D., President, District 3
Meagan Holman, Vice President, District 8
Mark Sain, District 1
Jeff Spence, District 2
Annie Woodward, District 4
Larry Miller, District 5
Tatiana Joseph, Ph.D., District 6
Claire Zautke, District 7
Terrence Falk, At-Large
Senior Team
Darienne B. Driver, Ed.D., Superintendent
Erbert Johnson, CPA, Chief of Staff
Karen R. Jackson, Ph.D., Chief Human Capital Officer
Ruth Maegli, Chief Innovation Officer/ Acting Chief Academic Officer
Michelle Nate, CPA, Chief Operations Officer
Gerald Pace, Esq., Chief Financial Officer
Keith Posley, Ed.D., Chief School Administration Officer
Sue Saller, Executive Coordinator, Superintendent’s Initiatives
