Actionable Solution

How have obstacles shaped your strategies? What actions to effect personal or structural change have been or will be taken to realize preferred futures?

Time management was the biggest obstacle that affect this project. There was a time constraint of when to start the actual growing and maintaining of the fish. Spring break conflicts with this. To remedy this, the construction of the aqauponic system took place during spring break and then the actual growing process happened after the break.

Another obstacle was obtaining the proper and necessary materials (nitrite testing kit, a light timer, and fish.) Most of the materials were eventually acquired but the delay caused the data to be altered.

CURRENT OBSTACLES: Describe existing obstacles, including public policy actors, socio-economic factors, public apathy, etc.

Current obstacles includes a slow/decrease in plant growth due to water quality fluctuations or other reasons. The decrease in plant growth might offset people from learning about the system or attempting to make one on their own if they see it is not successful in growing food.

It is also difficult to acquire the missing materials due to unreliability and time issues.

EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES: Describe strategies to create response to address issue

The new plants and fish could be placed in the system to provide a restart when the water quality is at ideal conditions. In addition, students should be part of the growing and maintaining process so they create a connection and see it as their project as well. This will motivate them to want to learn more about it and how it is helping to solve food sustainability and Hawaii’s food security problem.

IMPLEMENTED SOLUTIONS: Describe actions taken and provide evidence of effectiveness.

The aquaponics system will be used in Mr. Vaugh’s biology class to teach students about the biogeochemical cycles such as the nitrogen cycle as well as how to test for water quality. As the students are learning about these things, they will also receive a lesson that I made about what the system is, how it works, the benefits/disadvantages of the system, and how to make a system.