Once you come on to the San Miguel High School campus, Brother Jack Henderson and his imprint can quickly be seen, felt, heard -- and tasted -- as you walk around. His biology and science initiatives go far beyond just the classroom. And his efforts began six years ago when he started at the school.
Coming from Washington state and having grown up in the Bay Area of California, Brother Jack in true Lasallian tradition cares for all creatures great and small so when a group of Seniors inquired about doing a service project four years ago, he worked with them to build the Aquaponics system in the courtyard area. This system includes two 350 gallon tanks for Tilapia. Fish excrement emits ammonia, which is eaten by bacteria on two lava rock beds and turned into nitrates and nitrites. This fertilizer is absorbed by the herb and vegetable plants growing in the same lava rock beds. The water is recycled all the time, and a few times a year the fish are harvested. This self-contained system teaches sustainability, biology, agriculture, and science, in addition to valuable lessons on responsibility, community, and leadership for the students.
Tilapia in the tank
Lava rocks absorbing the nitrates
Plants growing!
Small peppers
Amaranth
A ripe Tomato peeking through
Herbs