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Integrating fish culture into public schools in Massachusetts: a dual-purpose collaboration.

Dale Leavitt Roger Williams University. Integrating fish culture into public schools in Massachusetts: a dual-purpose collaboration. The cast of characters!. Dale Leavitt Roger Williams University – Bristol, RI Brad Morse DoubleM Cranberry Company – Rochester, MA Keith Wilda

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Integrating fish culture into public schools in Massachusetts: a dual-purpose collaboration.

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  1. Dale LeavittRoger Williams University Integrating fish culture into public schools in Massachusetts:a dual-purpose collaboration.

  2. The cast of characters! Dale Leavitt Roger Williams University – Bristol, RI Brad Morse DoubleM Cranberry Company – Rochester, MA Keith Wilda WMCSA – Amherst, MA Joe Buttner Salem State College – Salem, MA Scott Soares Massachusetts Department of Food & Agriculture

  3. Teaching approaches associated with aquaculture • “Teaching about aquaculture” • Acquiring aquaculture skills is the goal • For career minded students • “Teaching with aquaculture” • Motivating students is the goal • Provides many opportunities for diverse “learning experiences” for students

  4. Education Demonstration Collaboration with mutual benefits Confusion reigns supreme!

  5. Project AQUANew England Board of Higher Education • August 1997 – NSF-ATE funded AQUA • Goal: to prepare middle, high school, and two & four year college faculty to introduce aquaculture curricula into existing programs. • Key component: participants form regional “Alliances” composed of linked institutions to create pathways for students and support network for teachers.

  6. Principal Participants • Co-PI’s • Fenna Hanes – NEBHE: Project Director • Ann Whitney - Bristol Community College • Aquaculture Specialists: • Joseph Buttner - Salem State College • Dale Leavitt – Roger Williams University • Scott Soares - Mass. Dept. of Food & Agriculture

  7. PRODUCTS • Aquaculture Curriculum Resource Guide

  8. PRODUCTS • Aquaculture Curriculum Resource Guide • RASCALS

  9. PRODUCTS • Aquaculture Curriculum Resource Guide • RASCALS • Aquaculture Explorations • Marine • Freshwater

  10. Cranberry Farming in SE Mass

  11. Massachusetts Cranberry Production(from Cape Cod Cranberry Grower’s Association) • Of the approximately 1,000 cranberry growers in North America, 500 are in Massachusetts • 14,400 acres of cranberries in production in Massachusetts • 48,000 acres of upland and wetland support lands • 1.875 million barrels (187.5 million lbs) in 1999 • $200 million in payroll to Massachusetts workers and employs about 5,500 people • The multiplier effect into the economy is estimated to be about $1 billion

  12. The current state of the industry

  13. Fish in the cranberry bog?

  14. Objectives • To investigate an alternative use of a cranberry bog system • without permanently removing the potential for cranberry production. • To make money!

  15. PartitionedAquaculture System

  16. Site 2

  17. Current status

  18. Culture Species being considered • Largemouth Bass • Yellow Perch • Brown Bullhead (horned pout)

  19. Unknowns • What is our Production cycle? • One season or multiple seasons? • Dependent on growth rates • If one season? • Need to start with fingerling large enough to reach market size in 7 months

  20. How do we start with a “BIG” fingerling? • Need to start with a 6-7 inch fingerling (LMB) • Fish available? • YOY are only 2-3 inches • too small! • Year 2 fingerlings are large enough but… • too expensive! • Need to produce our own large fingerlings? • Indoor RAS during winter

  21. Where do we find an indoor RAS to test concept? • None available to hold 13,000 2-3 inch LMBs • Grow from 2-3 inches in October to 6-7 inches in May • AQUA Project network of schools • We placed small RAS in many schools • Made schools an offer they couldn’t refuse! • Free fish and feed • Aquaculture Extension Specialist to visit the school & lecture on Bog/PAS Project • Suggested lessons/explorations to use with the fish • We remove the fish before school ends in the spring

  22. Current status of the project • Have fish in 8 schools

  23. Current status of the project • Have fish in 8 schools • They are using them for their class work

  24. Current status of the project • Have fish in 8 schools • They are using them for their class work • Have provided back-up material

  25. Current status of the project • Have fish in 8 schools • They are using them for their class work • Have provided back-up material • Scheduling field trips for students to return fish to Bog/PAS

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