Coral Reef To Classroom

[Coral Reef To Classroom]

Coral Reef To Classroom is a program dedicated to teaching kids science, technology, engineering, and math using a living model of a coral reef. Our initial class includes 6 students who will meet for 10 sessions. We meet at the middle school they attend. The tank is a 30 gallon frag that contains anemones, soft corals and two clownfish. The kids are amazed when watching splitting anemones and clownfish behavior. The related science topics are endless!

I've joined NJ Reefers Club for a number of reasons. The first reason would be to reach out to the people with the most experience and knowledge about keeping reef aquariums. I am looking to put the class in touch with the experts. Secondly, I hope to find a source for livestock and equipment. This is a STEM class and students will be encouraged to design and figure out ways to improve aquarium products. Please don't discard your extra DIY materials, consider donating them. Donations of frags and old equipment would also help us out. Third, a good STEM program should include entrepreneurship. I am hoping one day some of you will consider participating in frag swaps organized by my students.

I plan to expand this program into schools throughout the state starting with Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean Counties. Schools are not the limit. One day I hope to have a space of my own to offer this exciting program. If you are interested and you have a classroom or space at a camp or church please let me know.

I would like to take a moment here to thank Larry Flint of Reef Conservation Society for his frag and equipment donations. He has an outrageous program going at Williamsport High School and he assists schools in setting up aquariums in classrooms.

 

[etmanning1]

If you ever need frags just let me know! I can always use a little pruning. Good luck with this program, it sounds fantastic. As a recent HS graduate I really wish I had something like this in the past.

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[Mark_C]

Welcome aboard and my sincere best on your program, it sounds fantastic.
Love the fact that you're involving STEM and I think its a great idea.
If you can send in some pics of the tanks and kids to post that would be great and probably help forward the cause.
What ages are you targeting? Are you looking to start a 'club' group in state schools? Where are you located?
I ask as I treat a large number of teachers in Ocean County and can help spread the word or get you in touch with the right people.
I myself always have a ton of wires/pumps/suction cups/unidentifiable things (as do all members I'm sure) that I'd be happy to start donating to the kids to play about with.
I'm sure you've contacted the big forums (Reef2Reef and ReefCentral) as well as a number of the local groups like us.
Have you tried contacting Camden Aquarium? Theres also a good education program at Jenkensons Aquarium in Point, and theres a small educational center at Island Beach State Park that could probably provide good info as well.
Anyway, keep us updated, and welcome once again.

 

[Coral Reef To Classroom]

If you ever need frags just let me know! I can always use a little pruning. Good luck with this program, it sounds fantastic. As a recent HS graduate I really wish I had something like this in the past.

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Thanks for the generosity! I will keep you in mind.

 

[Coral Reef To Classroom]

Our class tonight starts at 6:00 and ends at 7:30. I have set up a discussion board at padlet.com in hopes that some of you might participate and answer questions the students may have. The have designed a tank maintenance device and an app and could benefit from some feedback. If you are available during this time, use this link to join our conversation: Coral Reef to Classroom

 

[hcker99]

I really wish they had something like this when I was in school. If there is anything we can do to help please contact me. Even if you'd like to bring some students by and we can go over how we grow and aquaculture our corals. Maybe even a fragging demo

 

[harthag12]

I saw some video's of people going to the Williamsport, PA frag swap 2 weeks ago, that school looked amazing & I wish it were closer. I'm not in the 3 targeted counties but I'm sure I have some things that work well but are no longer needed that I could donate.

 

[Coral Reef To Classroom]

Seeing his setup is definitely worth the trip and you are supporting a great program by participating in the frag swap.

 

[Coral Reef To Classroom]

Mark
I am a seventh grade science teacher in North Brunswick and I reside in Howell which is why I am focusing on middlesex, monmouth and ocean counties. My focus will be primarily middle school grades but will consider elementary and high school as the program expands. The idea is to get an aquarium into a science classroom while offering an after school, weekend or even summer STEM program. The cost of the program can be either funded by the school or by charging a registration fee to the participants. I also plan to raise money through donations or grants to help cover program expenses. I would appreciate you getting me in touch with the right people as I am hoping to get a couple of classes going for this summer.

 

[Coral Reef To Classroom]

Our STEM tank

 

[Trio91]

I have alot of frags of Kenya tree , if your ever up north let me know

 

[MadReefer]

I can cut a piece of Green Nepthea if you're ever down in the Brick/Lakewood area.

 

[NikkiT]

I am a seventh grade science teacher in North Brunswick and I reside in Howell which is why I am focusing on middlesex, monmouth and ocean counties. My focus will be primarily middle school grades but will consider elementary and high school as the program expands. The idea is to get an aquarium into a science classroom while offering an after school, weekend or even summer STEM program. The cost of the program can be either funded by the school or by charging a registration fee to the participants. I also plan to raise money through donations or grants to help cover program expenses. I would appreciate you getting me in touch with the right people as I am hoping to get a couple of classes going for this summer.

Mike and I are in Point Pleasant, we are hosting the May meeting - if you stop by, we'll canvas the basement and see what we have for you.

 

[Coral Reef To Classroom]

I have to attend a graduation in the morning that day. May be tough, but I will try to come by. What time will things start to wind down?

 

[Mark_C]

Dropping you a PM now

 

[NikkiT]

I have to attend a graduation in the morning that day. May be tough, but I will try to come by. What time will things start to wind down?

Probably around 6ish

 

[mnat]

Yeah we have frags and equipment for you if you can make it tomorrow or we can always pick another day. NJRC has always tried to help schools and classrooms get setup and run.

 

[Coral Reef To Classroom]

Coral Reef To Classroom is finally in full swing again. I have another group of students this year meeting once a week for STEM classes and reef keeping activities. The tanks are set up in a science class and one tank is set up in the school lobby. All students in the school are excited and ask many questions about our aquariums. Our twenty gallon long is a DIY project where students built the AIO filtration. This was so much fun for the kids. This tank is home to a pistol shrimp and goby. Our frag tank, which we started with last year, has many different corals, anemones and a potential clownfish pair. The anemones put on a show splitting two times last year. This year one reproduced by budding. The kids were so amazed. Our lobby tank, a 90 gallon reef tank, is rather bare but we are just getting started!

 

[Coral Reef To Classroom]

Some pictures.