Walker middle school given $405K grant for STEM-based program

WALKER, La. (BRPROUD) — The Louisiana Department of Education along with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program awarded a $405,000 grant to a Louisiana middle school for aquaponics.

Westside Junior High School will be equipped with a STEM-based aquaponics program that specializes in a food production system where fish are raised in water and plants are also grown. “Greauxing STEM-Stewards” is a program aimed to help kids have a better understanding of STEM careers.

The program is Louisiana’s first Controlled Environment for Agricultural Learning for 6th to 8th-grade students. Officials said the project will enable students to explore environmental issues impacting their local Gulf Coast communities while learning about aquaculture and conservation. Westside Junior High will serve as the model school.

The aquaponics curriculum will use catfish and lettuce growth systems to provide hands-on learning experiences for the students. STEM Instructional Specialist with the LDOE Dr. John Underwood will be the overseer for the curriculum. Experts with LSU’s SEA Grant Program will also provide training and guidance for teachers for the courses.

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