3rd Grade Pollution And Aquaponics Lesson Plan Example

Topic: Ancient Aquaponics

Topic: Aquaponics and Pollution

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will understand the concept of aquaponics and how it can help reduce pollution by growing plants and fish together.

Materials

• Fish tank with water and fish
• Aquaponics system with plants and water
• Slides or pictures of a fish tank, aquaponics system, and polluted water
• Whiteboard and markers

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever seen a fish tank or an aquarium at a pet store.
• Ask them what they think happens to the water in the tank over time.
• Lead a discussion about how the fish in the tank produce waste, which results in pollution of the water.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of aquaponics and explain that it is a system of growing plants without soil, using only water and fish waste as the nutrients for the plants.
• Discuss the importance of protecting our environment and using resources wisely. Emphasize the importance of recycling and reducing waste.
• Explain that ancient civilizations such as the Mayans and the Aztecs also practiced aquaponics, and that they grew vegetables and herbs in their aquaponic systems.

Guided Practice

• Divide the students into small groups and give each group a fish bowl and some grass seedlings.
• Have the students carefully place the seedlings in the fish bowl and add enough water to cover the roots.
• Have the students add some fish food to the water and wait for the fish to start swimming around.
• Instruct the students to carefully observe the fish bowl and identify any changes in the water quality (e.g. odor, clarity, color).
• Ask the students to think about what they can do to keep the water clean and healthy, and have them discuss their ideas as a group.

Independent Practice

• Give each student a large bowl and some grass seedlings.
• Have the students carefully place the seedlings in their bowl and add enough water to cover the roots.
• Have the students add some fish food to the water and wait for the fish to start swimming around.
• Instruct the students to carefully observe the fish bowl and identify any changes in the water quality (e.g. odor, clarity, color).
• Ask the students to think about what they can do to keep the water clean and healthy, and have them present their ideas to the class.

Closure

• Review the importance of keeping water clean and healthy in aquaponics systems.
• Ask the students to share any ideas or strategies they came up with to keep the water clean and healthy.

Assessment

• Observe the students during the independent practice, and provide feedback on their understanding of the importance of keeping the water clean and healthy in an aquaponics system.
• Observe the students during the aquaponics activity and provide feedback on their ability to successfully set up and maintain an aquaponics system.