That is my personal goal in life and my vision for you my students.
Why Study Sustainablity
In order for us all to have a long and healthy life, our human species must become deeply aware of how to live sustainably without destroying the earth's life support systems. For this reason, I believe it is vital to study and understand ecosystem concepts.
For example, understanding all the carbon cycle will allow humankind to not only reduce carbon emissions, but to take carbon out of the atmosphere. This knowledge is very useful in an age of climate change that is experiencing rapid shrinking of Greenland's ice sheet and rising sea levels.
Why Study Authentic Science Research
Science consists of both content and practical knowledge. By taking on a problem from the real world, you will learn both in an authentic way.
Why Study Aquaponics
Beyond knowledge, I believe is important to develop a practical skill set that will allow you to become self-reliant.
Humans have two basic needs: Shelter and food. Shelter allows the body to maintain it's internal body temperature. Food is needed to power up and repair of the living system. If you can provide both, you can become self-reliant. That is why farming has been one of the most successful human occupations throughout the history of humankind on earth.
However, farming requires lots of land and good soil. What if you live in the city? By understanding ecosystems, one can create a closed loop system that recycles water. A pump is used to circulate water between a fish (or shrimp) tank and a planting bed. Such systems convert fish wastes into fertilizer while creating a source of both animal protein and vegetables. These systems are compact, conserve water and grow food without soil.
Why Study Entrepreneurship
As a social animal, to be truly happy, humans need to integrate into a human community, to be known, honored, loved and respected. Humans honor other humans when they recognize their status and contributions to the community. If you have a social purpose and contribute to the community, your status rises and you will find the respect we all desire.
Money helps as well. Money is a social signature of success and success is another avenue toward respect. However, money alone is unsatisfying especially if it is obtained at the expense of others. No one respects that, including oneself. On the other hand, money earned while contributing to the community is doubly rewarding.
All that to say, imagine growing an aquaponics business that provides food for yourself, for your family and/or your community. If done well, you'd make money and contribute to the lives of others? How would that make you feel?
And food production businesses are only one part of the aquaponics universe available for entrepreneurs. Think aquaponic landscapers, aquaponic system builders and installers, aquaponic scientists and engineers, aquaponic producers of floral essences, perfumes and herbal medicines. Why not? What is your passion? An entrepreneur converts their passion for life into a business with a healthy income stream.
Summary
So my dear students, I teach authentic science research as a means for teaching you about living sustainably on earth. I expose you to ideas for practical, healthy, joyful living. Ideas that have the potential for allowing you to achieve your goals and reap the rewards of a satisfying life. Of course, a teacher can merely point the way, it is up to you to travel your own road of life.
And so I leave you with the words from a beautiful Celtic song:
"May the long time sun shine upon you,
All love surround you,
And the pure light within you,
Guide your way on!"
Notice: I no longer maintain the Honors Biology & Exploring Biotechnology websites. If you have need of the content from those websites, please feel free to contact me at gregory dot louie at gmail dot com.
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