School Reef Program

[Mac134]

I am a middle school teacher in Maryland. I have, with strong student support, started a conservation organization/club at my school. It currently has 45 students involved.

Recently, several students have come forward with the idea of actively giving back to the community by raising marine life, such as live rock or coral. The rest of students seem to like the idea, and volunteered to help. There are at about 9 students with experience keeping saltwater/brackish aquariums, and two are extremely passionate about it. Many other students have kept freshwater aquariums.

Several students have bought in 3 ten gallon tanks, 2 five gallon tanks, and assorted smaller tanks. We also have a 55 gallon black tub, and $500 dollars for a possible project, but that can be expanded.

Any ideas or opportunities for a service project? Some students have an idea about raising live rock from dry rock, or coral frags, and then donating it or setting up educational reef tanks in neighboring schools.

 

[Dmorty217]

I would go the frag route or maybe a breeding program with clownfish? The live rock project will be more in depth and not as fun for the kids I wouldn't think since it will take forever to get it to look live without dosing calcium and alkalinity. I have rock that still looks dry after several months that's been in a tank. Without a piece of actual liverock from the ocean to seed the rock, it will be slow going. Frags on the other hand you will see real growth from them and who doesn't love fish? Great idea by the way, with I went to school where you are years ago

 

[Mac134]

Thanks.

If we raise frags, do you know of any ways we can donate them when they are grown, or to help the community?

 

[soulpatch]

Look for your local reef group. Many have monthly frag swaps that you or the students could attend to give away the stock. I know at least my local org also has presentations and discussions about husbandry, responsible care, and more that the kids would probably find to be interesting.

And I wouldn't give them away but sell for reduced costs. The project in the school is going to have running costs so you will want the corals/fish you offload to offset those costs to some degree.

 

[Mac134]

Look for your local reef group. Many have monthly frag swaps that you or the students could attend to give away the stock. I know at least my local org also has presentations and discussions about husbandry, responsible care, and more that the kids would probably find to be interesting.

And I wouldn't give them away but sell for reduced costs. The project in the school is going to have running costs so you will want the corals/fish you offload to offset those costs to some degree.

I think we have enough money to run such an operation, and we can write grants if needed. A lot of the stock and equipment are being brought in by my students daily. Since this a service learning program, we will try to benefit the community as much as possible, we will try not to sell them at all, and to donate what we raise.

Other than donating coral frags to a local reef club, is there anywhere else to donate stock?

 

[soulpatch]

Do you have an economics class? Perhaps the science class grows the frags and such then you turn over to the economics class to handle the business side so everyone wins. Money gained can be used for pizza party or such to give back to the kids since you would have granst to offset actual class costs.

 

[cvportagee]

I know a local reef club here (Marine Aquarists of Sacramento) does a charity frag swap and raffle. I do not know how they set it up but in the end the proceeds go to a local charity i believe.

 

[Mac134]

Do you have an economics class? Perhaps the science class grows the frags and such then you turn over to the economics class to handle the business side so everyone wins. Money gained can be used for pizza party or such to give back to the kids since you would have granst to offset actual class costs.

No, this is it's own group. It meets at least once a week, but students come all the time to work.

We want to help the community on a service project, and I think we have enough for the project (We can always write up grants.) The students are dedicated, and are actually more interested in helping out the community, vs getting something for themselves, which is part of the reason I agreed to support such a project.

So, if I donate the coral or live rock to a reef club, what will be done with it? Is that the only way the club can help the community by raising marine life? Thanks.