The goal is to independently develop an aquaponics project in which a complete system is established in a school.
This system is built step by step and includes the following subtopics:
- Aquaponics and recirculating systems
- Fish and plant species
- Programming an Arduino (“control system”)
| Creator | Jan Pawlowski, Martin Idzik |
| Subject | Computer science, biology, geography, physics |
| Length | 45 minutes |
| Pedagogical Approach | Explorative learning |
| Competences | Problem solving, abstraction, decomposition, new technologies, data |
| Grades | Elementary school, grades 5-6 |
| Technologies | Complete materials are described on the accompanying worksheets; in brief, you will need the following: – Aquarium (e.g. 60l) incl. pumps, plants, drip tray – fishes – Planter incl bell siphon – Lighting Arduino incl sensors (temperature, water temperature, brightness, …), relay MOSFET, cable, cable ties Arduino Uno board, plug-in board, resistors, LEDs, connection cable, USB cable The Arduino should already be prepared, the PCs must each have the Arduino IDE (https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software) and the Open Roberta Connector extension (installation for Windows 10: https://github.com/OpenRoberta/openroberta-connector/releases/download/v1.2.1/OpenRobertaConnectorSetupDE-v1.2.1.msi). The software environment can be found at https://lab.open-roberta.de A summary of the preparation here: https://jira.iais.fraunhofer.de/wiki/display/ORInfo/Vorbereitung+Nepo4Arduino |
1. Contextualization
In the first step, a short introduction to sensors is given by the instructors.
Circulation systems in particular should be discussed here.
2. Exploration
The students are given the task of identifying problems in fish and plant breeding. Essential problems are for example fertilization of plants and water purification / quality.
3. Elaboration
1. In this phase, the students are given the task of evaluating suitable fish and plant species
2. In this phase, the students are given the task of planning and sketching the aquaponics system. They discuss which components are necessary and how they are combined.
Sketches should be made of how the two systems (aquarium and planter are combined and what is needed).
3. In this phase, the students are given the task of designing the control system.
Various sensors are successively incorporated and actuators used (relays for light control)
4. Additional and extension tasks
The scenario can be further expanded, e.g. into the following topics
Construction of a web server on which images of the system and data series are shown
Transition from programming in block language to text-based programming
Construction of a feeding system with 3D printing and servo motor
4 Reflection
After each development phase, the experiences are recorded in a learning diary. What was achieved, what was easy for you and what was difficult?
