NewTechAqua-IRTA Aquaponic Kit for Schools

Summary

The NewTechAqua-IRTA Aquaponic Kit for Schools is a free assembly guide produced under the EU Horizon 2020 project NewTechAqua ("New Technologies, Tools and Strategies for a Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative European Aquaculture," grant agreement No 862688, coordinated by the University of Bologna with 26 partners in 9 EU countries). The concept, design and instructions were developed by Ricard Carbó (IRTA La Rápita, Spain) with Bernardo Basurco (CIHEAM Zaragoza). Published in October 2023, the kit teaches secondary-school students (ages roughly 14–18) the hydraulics and biology of aquaponics by having them design and assemble their own low-cost systems from components available in budget stores, DIY shops, aquarium shops, or online. The guide details two models: Model A, a 127-litre freshwater system (a compact transport box, three planters, aquarium pump, and PVC plumbing with an auto-siphon "trap" and perlite biofilter), and Model B, a 13-litre desktop system (small plastic aquarium, Tupperware biofilter, air pump, optional LED lighting). Learning topics include the nitrogen cycle and nitrification, biofiltration, physical/chemical water parameters (oxygen, temperature, pH), floating-root and substrate-bed hydroponics, and the circular-economy framing of aquaponics. The kit is part of a broader free School Campaign (#IWorkInAquaculture) with factsheets, videos, a board game, and a quiz, distributed via the EU Aquaculture knowledge base.

Guiding Principles

STEM Integration: Explicitly built to teach hydraulics, biology, and water chemistry through design-and-build work — students construct the system rather than merely observe one.
Circular Economy: The guide frames aquaponics as a circular economy and sustainability case study: fish waste feeds plants, plants clean the water, effluent is minimized.
Youth Empowerment: Targets 14–18-year-olds and their teachers, coupling the build with aquaculture career-awareness materials to open pathways into the blue economy.
Open Source: Free, open, and accessible to all stakeholders; deliberately designed around generic, locally purchasable parts rather than proprietary hardware.

Learning Outcomes & Transferable Skills

Students gain Systems Thinking (integrated fish–plant–bacteria loops), Water Chemistry (oxygen, temperature, pH, ammonia/nitrification management), Biology (fish and plant care, nitrogen cycle), and Food Production fundamentals. The low-cost design-and-assemble approach also develops practical engineering judgement — parts sourcing, plumbing, and troubleshooting — that transfers to other maker and agriculture projects.

How to Replicate or Build On It

Download the kit PDF directly from newtechaqua.eu (English version verified live) or via the EU Aquaculture assistance "Aquaponic Kit for Schools" page.
Choose Model B (desktop, 13 L) for a first classroom build — cheapest and simplest; graduate to Model A (127 L) where space and supervision allow.
Follow the parts lists exactly: compact box with lid, three planters, aquarium pump(s), PVC trap components, perlite substrate, air pump; all from local budget/DIY/aquarium suppliers.
Extend the lesson with the companion School Campaign guide (presentation, factsheets, AquaCOOLture board game, online quiz).
Add sensor instrumentation with DFRobot BOSON Hydroponics Kit modules for data-driven extensions.

Considerations & Constraints

Cost: Low — the guide is free; materials are deliberately budget-store items (desktop model uses a ~€10-class aquarium and household containers).
Skill Level: Beginner; written for teachers and students with no prior aquaponics experience.
Space/Climate: Classroom/indoor friendly; climate-independent; LED lighting recommended where natural light is poor.
Tools Required: Basic hand tools for drilling planter holes and assembling PVC; no fabrication machinery.
Ongoing Maintenance: Daily fish feeding and water observation; small volumes (13 L) deteriorate quickly — the guide warns against overfeeding and low stocking.
Access Barriers: Project ended January 2024; materials remain hosted but long-term availability depends on the project site/EU portal staying live. English verified; other-language versions may exist via the EU Aquaculture knowledge base.

Prerequisites

None — designed as a first introduction to aquaponics.

Primary Source

NewTechAqua-IRTA Aquaponic Kit for Schools (English PDF): https://www.newtechaqua.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NewTechAqua-IRTA-Aquaponics_Kit_english_fv-1.pdf