Background:

• Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as fish in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment.

• The fish water is passed through the plants, in order to both filter the water so it's clean enough for the fish, and to provide fertilizer for the plants.

• The Sweet Water Aquapons program administered by the Sweet Water Foundation (SWF), aims to educate people in aquaponics.

• The AQUAPONS training program would be significantly enhanced by a digital media component, such as an interactive virtual simulation of an aquaponics system.

• Participants would be able to adjust variables within the system in order to test hypotheses without harming live organisms in the process.

• The simulation could also provide relevant “mini-lessons,” puzzle activities and interactions with other learners and could serve participants without direct access to an aquaponics system.

Subject Matter Expert: The Sweet Water Foundation (www.sweetwaterfoundation.com)