The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) recently announced an exciting development for the state’s middle school STEM programs. A grant of $405,000 from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) Gulf Research Program (GRP) has been awarded to establish a pioneering STEM-based aquaponics curriculum at a Louisiana middle school. This initiative, named “Greauxing STEM-Stewards,” is designed to boost scientific and environmental literacy for students in grades 6-8 through practical, hands-on learning, as per this news release from LDOE. The focus of the program is on environmental sustainability and controlled environment agriculture, known as CEA, which introduces students to the integration of technology with agriculture.

The Greauxing STEM-Stewards program represents a significant step in education, being the first of its kind in Louisiana to introduce a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) learning space. CEA systems allow for plants and animals to thrive within a regulated environment, offering a perfect blend of scientific discovery and technological innovation. The pilot program will be launched at Westside Junior High School in Livingston Parish, which will serve as the model for other schools across the state. Once the groundwork is established, the program will be expanded to additional schools statewide.

This new initiative not only teaches students about aquaponics—a sustainable method of farming that combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (growing plants without soil)—but also connects them with real-world issues impacting their local Gulf Coast communities. By using aquaponics as the medium for teaching science, students will explore broader topics related to aquaculture, conservation, and environmental responsibility. At Westside Junior High, students will have the opportunity to learn about these environmental issues firsthand, gaining valuable insight into sustainable practices while also building skills that will be useful in future STEM careers.

The program aims to establish a unique learning ecosystem where students can grow plants, manage aquatic life, and monitor the environmental factors influencing their growth—all within a controlled, tech-driven environment. Westside Junior High will not only serve as the location for this innovative aquaponics lab, but it will also be the base for developing curriculum, lesson plans, and a virtual community of practice. Once tested and refined, the program will be expanded to other schools across Louisiana, ensuring that students statewide can benefit from this enriching experience.

Ronnie Morris, the president of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), expressed excitement about the program’s potential, noting that students frequently ask how education can be made more applicable to real-life situations. Morris explained that aquaponics allows STEM disciplines to be applied in ways that students can immediately see and understand. By turning classrooms into self-contained ecosystems, students become more engaged and motivated to learn, as they see the direct impact of their studies on the living organisms they manage. The hands-on nature of the program, combined with the innovative curriculum and virtual community for educators, positions the Greauxing STEM-Stewards program as a game changer in Louisiana’s STEM education landscape. The combination of science literacy, problem-solving, and environmental awareness prepares students not just for academic success but also for future careers in STEM fields, especially those related to agriculture and environmental stewardship.

This partnership with local industries ensures that the program isn’t just theoretical; it aims to create a direct connection between classroom learning and future career opportunities. Students will gain insights into industries that are critical to Louisiana’s economy while also becoming more aware of the environmental challenges facing their communities. One of the program’s goals is to help students see the relevance of their education by linking it to their surroundings and future careers.

This initiative not only highlights the importance of innovative educational methods but also showcases how hands-on learning can bridge the gap between classroom lessons and real-world applications. By integrating place-based learning with cutting-edge agricultural technology, Louisiana is preparing the next generation of environmental stewards and STEM professionals.

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