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2013-14 Highlights PACS Science Club

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.

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2013-14 Highlights PACS Science Club

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  1. 2013-14 Highlights PACS Science Club

  2. Major Projects of 2013-2014 • Aquaponics • Maple Syrup • Biodiesel

  3. Aquaponics • Hydroponics • Growing plants with water • Aquaculture • Growing fish • Aquaponics • Fish and Plants • Types of systems • Raft System • Nutrient Film • Ebb and Flow

  4. 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

  5. Future of Aqua/Hydroponics • Double our growing capacity • Begin selling vegetables on Fridays • Farmers market setting at school

  6. Other Experiences w/ Aqua/Hydroponics • Field trip to SUNY Morrisville • Greenhouses • Fish farming (aquaculture) • Aquaponics • Learning about plants and food production • Nutrient deficiencies

  7. Maple Syrup • Three-phase project • Constructing evaporators • Collecting/evaporating sap • Bottling/Marketing syrup

  8. Constructing Evaporators • Used repurposed/recycled materials • Carbon-neutral fuel source (biodiesel)

  9. 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!

  10. Reverse Osmosis • Reduces water content in sap by 75% • Reduces fuel usage by 75% • Greatly increases rate of production

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

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