Romney's School Aquarium @ AMS IV
Donation protected
Project:
I want to build a 120g community marine fish and coral tank that will work to increase student engagement in STEAM and Humanities subjects as well as serve as a social and emotional learning tool for students and staff.
Where:
My High School is located in South Jamaiaca in Queens, New York. We reside on the August Martin H.S. Campus on the 3rd floor. Our students hail from S. Jamaica, Far Rockaway and similar urban areas. Over 95% are eligible to receive free and reduced lunch.
Why:
I believe that all students should be able to access marine aquaria and the learnings that can come from the critical thinking, problem solving and real life connections involved in maintaining such a tank. This is not only educational, but FUN and a great way to involve parents and community members.
Background:
I started my career in education back in 2007. I was a recent graduate from a Marine Biology program at Unity College in Maine and had a passion for spreading my love of science and the world to school aged youth.
Beginning in my first year, I brought my passion for marine critters, environmental stewardship and mindfulness into the classroom.
We started with a 20 gallon tank and by the end of the year I built a 55g tank in the lobby of the building.
That tank was used for learning science, bringing in parents to share their skills, making connections from science into other content areas. We also used the tank to help students and adults build social and emotional skills.
I wish to continue this work. I am now the Assistant Principal at Advanced Math and Science IV in the New Visions Network.
I wish to build a 120g marine tank in the student support room. This will be a place where classes and individual students and community members can convene to increase academic and behavioral sucess.
My long term goal is to start an aquatic husbandry program in the school itself.
Here is what we wish to purchase:
Reef Ready 120 g tank 48x24x24
3ft tall Stand meeting these dimensions
40g+ Sump which includes a good size refugium and sep. skimmer section
Protein skimmer rated 200g+
LED programmable lights
Return pump under 80w
Power head (2x mp40 or 1 gyre 150)
PVC for plumbing system
80lbs of Arag-alive Fiji pink sand or seafloor special
300lbs of rock (including flat, branches, for easy aquascape)
Salt (any quality salt)
ATO system including
Apex (full)
Dosing system
Algae turf scrubber
Par meter
Chiller will be necessary (as the school has no AC and in winter the heater brings the top floor over 80)
Cleaning supplies
Live Stock:
Clean up crew (specific snails, shrimp, crabs, etc)
Marine Fish (community list of reef safe fish will be posted)
Coral (softies, lps, and sps)
We will also search the community to find a vendor who can visit the tank 1x per month to oversee the tank on a regular basis for the more time consuming maintenance. Additionally, this vendor would visit the tank on longer holidays/breaks.
I want to build a 120g community marine fish and coral tank that will work to increase student engagement in STEAM and Humanities subjects as well as serve as a social and emotional learning tool for students and staff.
Where:
My High School is located in South Jamaiaca in Queens, New York. We reside on the August Martin H.S. Campus on the 3rd floor. Our students hail from S. Jamaica, Far Rockaway and similar urban areas. Over 95% are eligible to receive free and reduced lunch.
Why:
I believe that all students should be able to access marine aquaria and the learnings that can come from the critical thinking, problem solving and real life connections involved in maintaining such a tank. This is not only educational, but FUN and a great way to involve parents and community members.
Background:
I started my career in education back in 2007. I was a recent graduate from a Marine Biology program at Unity College in Maine and had a passion for spreading my love of science and the world to school aged youth.
Beginning in my first year, I brought my passion for marine critters, environmental stewardship and mindfulness into the classroom.
We started with a 20 gallon tank and by the end of the year I built a 55g tank in the lobby of the building.
That tank was used for learning science, bringing in parents to share their skills, making connections from science into other content areas. We also used the tank to help students and adults build social and emotional skills.
I wish to continue this work. I am now the Assistant Principal at Advanced Math and Science IV in the New Visions Network.
I wish to build a 120g marine tank in the student support room. This will be a place where classes and individual students and community members can convene to increase academic and behavioral sucess.
My long term goal is to start an aquatic husbandry program in the school itself.
Here is what we wish to purchase:
Reef Ready 120 g tank 48x24x24
3ft tall Stand meeting these dimensions
40g+ Sump which includes a good size refugium and sep. skimmer section
Protein skimmer rated 200g+
LED programmable lights
Return pump under 80w
Power head (2x mp40 or 1 gyre 150)
PVC for plumbing system
80lbs of Arag-alive Fiji pink sand or seafloor special
300lbs of rock (including flat, branches, for easy aquascape)
Salt (any quality salt)
ATO system including
Apex (full)
Dosing system
Algae turf scrubber
Par meter
Chiller will be necessary (as the school has no AC and in winter the heater brings the top floor over 80)
Cleaning supplies
Live Stock:
Clean up crew (specific snails, shrimp, crabs, etc)
Marine Fish (community list of reef safe fish will be posted)
Coral (softies, lps, and sps)
We will also search the community to find a vendor who can visit the tank 1x per month to oversee the tank on a regular basis for the more time consuming maintenance. Additionally, this vendor would visit the tank on longer holidays/breaks.
Organizer
William C. Equity
Organizer
Jamaica, NY
