Tele-Robotic Aquaponics

Teachers College Columbia University

Daniel P McVeigh, Dr John Black

Ocean of Know: Project “Young McDonalds Farm”

www.oceanofk.org

Power Point Notes:

Tele-robotic Aquaponics

Young McDonalds Farm

Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) Program

Cognitive Science Research:

n  Dr John Black Teachers College Columbia University

n  Daniel P McVeigh Teachers College Columbia University

n  Project run by:

n  Ocean of Know 501 c-3 Non for Profit

n  Main program: Young McDonalds farm

Facilities

n  Physical farm:5000 gallon re-circulation aquaponics installation

n  Housed at Rutgers University research greenhouse

n  Rutgers Dean and research Dean favor the project

No Pumpkin Left Behind

Planting starts May 15th

Outside Farm

Technology

n  Tele-Robotics

n  Hand held Sensors and Online Sensors

n  Video teleconferencing

n  Web Site

n  Virtual re-circulation Fish Farm

Tele-robotics

n  Students activate the robot through a web page

n  Students can watch the robot move through a video conferencing unit

n  Current robotic arms are used:

n  Feed the fish

n  Add baking soda to change the pH level

Links with Spain

Catch a fish

Weigh a fish

Fish farm simulation

Developing Clear
Mental Models
by using
System Simulations

TESTING AND RESULTS

Education research

n  Tests were conducted with a fish farm system simulation in combination with other activities in order to measure its ability to assist in the teaching and learning of water chemistry and eco systems

n  Results support the dual coding hypothesis (Paivio, 1990) that posits two kinds of connections:

n  1) representational connections between verbal stimuli and verbal representations

n  2) between visual stimuli and visual representations and referential connections between visual and verbal representations

n  (Mayer/Anderson 1991)

Results and Findings

Mathematics

n  Pre test-Only showed that 5% of the students were able to answer the question “If a fish weighed 100 ounces, and we are to feed the fish 6% of their body weight, how much do we feed the fish? “

n  Post test showed that 90% understood the concept of %.

ELA

n  ELA projects are done through inquiry based learning

n  Improved research skills through project based learning

Peer Review

n  Each teacher will submit a lesson plan tied to the state format for Peer Review

n  Benefit - Teachers receive recognition for their work