Aquaculture

2026 Aquaculture/Aquaponics 101 Teacher Workshop

2 min read
Teachers at the Alabama Extension Aquaculture/Aquaponics 101 Teacher Workshop

Aquaponics is the combination of raising fish (aquaculture) and growing plants in water (hydroponics), creating a fun, hands-on learning experience. In this system, fish waste provides nutrients for plants, and the plants help clean the water for the fish. It’s a natural, symbiotic cycle that excites students and brings science to life. The Aquaculture/Aquaponics 101 Teacher Workshop gives teachers the training they need to bring this powerful teaching tool to their classrooms. Participants will receive expert instruction, build a working aquaponics system to take back to their school, and get valuable resources to connect aquaponics to subjects like science, math, and even business and technical skills. Instruction is led by professionals from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University.

Details

When: July 13–17

Where: E.W. Shell Fisheries Center—2101 North College St. Auburn, AL 36830

Cost: $295, which does not include room and board

CEUs: 32 hours of continuing education units are available

Registration

Teaches can register for this workshop online at www.aces.edu/go/4964. Because of the hands-on nature of the workshop, participation is limited to 30 people.

Agenda

Monday, July 13

  • 8:30–9:00 a.m.
    • Coffee and Pastries
  • 9:00–9:15 a.m.
    • Welcome and Housekeeping
  • 9:15–9:30 a.m.
    • Teacher Pretest
  • 9:30–10:10 a.m.
    • Introduction to Aquaponics
  • 10:10–10:20 a.m.
    • Break
  • 10:20–11:00 a.m.
    • Integrating Aquaponics into the Curriculum
  • 11:00 a.m.–Noon
    • Recirculating Systems Components and Functions
  • Noon–1:00 p.m.
    • Lunch on Your Own
  • 1:00–2:15 p.m.
    • Aquaculture Station Tour
  • 2:00–2:30 p.m. 
    • Sizing the Biofilter and Worksheet
  • 2:30–5:00 p.m.
    • Small System Description and Assembly (Break as Needed)

Tuesday, July 14

  • 8:00–9:00 a.m.
    • Finish Small System Assembly
  • 9:00–10:30 a.m.
    • Introduction to Water Quality
  • 10:30–10:45 a.m.
    • Break
  • 10:45 a.m.–Noon
    • Hands-On Water Quality
  • Noon–1:00 p.m.
    • Lunch on Your Own
  • 1:00–2:00 p.m.
    • Water Quality Interpretation
  • 2:00–3:00 p.m.
    • Volumetric Displacement Lab
  • 3:00–3:15 p.m.
    • Break
  • 3:15–5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 15

  • 8:00–9:00 a.m.
    • Catch-Up Time
  • 9:00–9:45 a.m.
    • Aquaculture in the Classroom: Lessons Learned
  • 9:45–10:00 a.m.
    • Break
  • 10:00–11:30 a.m.
    • IBC Build Time or Station Activity
  • 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
    • Lunch on Your Own
  • 1:00–2:15 p.m.
    • Starting Plants from Seeds and Hydroponics Solutions
  • 2:15–2:30 p.m.
    • Break
  • 2:30–4:00 p.m.
    • Physics Lesson, Lab Activity and Discussion
  • 4:00–5:00 p.m.
    • System Assembly/Station Activity

Thursday, July 16

  • 8:00–9:00 a.m.
    • Greenhouse Work
  • 9:00–10:00 a.m.
    • Plant Selection for Aquaponics
  • 10:00–10:15 a.m.
    • Break
  • 10:15–11:00 a.m.
    • Plant Health
  • 11:00 a.m.–Noon
    • Fish in a Bottle and Lesson Plans
  • Noon–1:00 p.m.
    • Lunch on Your Own
  • 1:00–2:00 p.m.
    • Fish Health, Stress, and Disease
  • 2:00–2:15 p.m.
    • Break
  • 2:15–3:00 p.m.
    • Catfish and Tilapia Dissection
  • 3:00–5:00 p.m.
    • Hands-On Activity

Friday, July 17

  • 8:15–9:30 a.m.
    • Making Sure Your Veggies are Safe to Eat
  • 9:30–11:00 a.m.
    • Group Work: Building Lesson Plans
  • 11:00–11:45 a.m.
    • Careers in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences
  • 11:45 a.m.–12:10 p.m.
    • Posttest and Evaluations
  • 12:10–12:20 p.m.
    • Awards Ceremony
  • 12:30 p.m.
    • Adjournment

More Information

For more information on this workshop, contact David Cline at (334) 744-2688 or clinedj@auburn.edu, P.J. Waters at (251) 438-5690 or waterph@auburn.edu, and Stan Arington at (334) 332-5388 or sca0028@auburn.edu.