If You Build It They Will Come.........

NOTE:  To those that read this post on your phone, through school, or email you may not see the pictures in the post.  To see the actual blog you need to go to:  http://www.theaquaponicsproject.blogspot.com

NOTE: I want to thank those of you new followers that have requested to be a part of my posts.  I have had many people express interest in my project and I want to thank you. For those of you that receive my email posts and do not read it often or prefer to read it at my actual blog on the Internet please let me know. I have more requests than email slots and would rather put someone in that reads the posts.  No weirdness.  Just let me know.

If You Build It They Will Come.........

Many of you reading this will recognize the above picture.  This is a clip from the movie Field of Dreams.  In the movie, Ray, played by Kevin Costner hears the voice "If You Build It They Will Come."  Some exciting things have transpired since my last post that brings to mind this famous line.  I had some goals when I started this project and although I never knew when or how they would transpire I just reminded myself to get it started and then worry about the rest later.

Small Sidetrack

I believe so may people never start.  We come up with all types of problems or roadblocks that stop us before we ever get started.  I have learned that one of the hardest parts of any project or endeavor is just starting.  

For example, my wife, two years ago, just decided to start.  She has always wanted to explore her artistic side and didn't due to all the unforeseen problems that may lie ahead.  She determined in her mind to just start and has just celebrated her 100th post, sold some of her art pieces, and just had her first "give away".  I am so proud of her.  She just decided to start.  Check her blog out.   http://sadieinspired.blogspot.com/

Back to my project:

When I got started I had no clue how my goals would come to fruition.  Therefore, I just keep moving along.

One of the goals was to bring this project to local schools for project based learning.  I showed one of our physics teachers my blog and he had a vision that was much grander than mine.

If You Build It They Will Come.........
 
One thing led to the next and tomorrow we have a preliminary meeting with two of our biology teachers, the physics teacher, and me on how we are going to build a comprehensive interdisciplinary aquaponics project at our school site that will include some of these goals;

1. eighth to twelfth grade project based study on various aspects of the aquaponics project that will be divided into biology, physics, and chemistry.
2. Research the most cost effective and energy efficient design to be used as a model for low income areas.
3. Prepare students for national scholarships and competitions.
4. Provide fresh produce to our district food services department to fund our project.

We have a great school with great teachers and I am so excited that we will be bringing aspects of this project to our school.  More to come later.....

Today's update.

I took some of the small sprouts and planted them in the 2" pots and then transferred them to the empty holes I had in the Styrofoam.  Everything is stable in my system.  I am waiting for the weather to start warming up so things will begin to take off.

The only thing I need to add to the system in Iron.  I see that some of the plants that are up are turning a bit yellow.  This is due to lack of iron.  I will find and add iron soon.

My son helping with the transplants.  Both of us in pajama pants.  Too cool!

They are dropping the 2" pots into the holes