Frank the Class Tank
About Frank:
As a science teacher, my class is constantly stimulated by engaging
topics within these science topics in chemistry, ecology, and geology.
My young scientists have been given the space to express their ideas
through technology applications, art, small projects and now through our
year-long reef tank project called Frank the Class Tank.
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The use of the coral reef tank allowed for project-based learning in my
classroom that enhanced EVERY unit in my class this year. Students
created a real-life ecosystem by researching how to set up a tank, to
making decisions, & finding solutions to any issue. Students discovered
the ideal parameters for our tank such as temperature, salinity,
calcium, alkalinity, etc. While researching the parameters students
learned about the chemistry that goes on in the aquarium nitrogen cycle,
& how creating healthy bacteria substrate is crucial in a reef
ecosystem. With the equipment donated from parents, community and local
reef stores like: LAX Aquarium, West Coast Frags, Golden State Corals,
students were given the chance to properly set up a tank and assess the
parameters throughout the year. By using a salinity refractometer, &
other testing kits helped students learn and demonstrate proper lab
techniques, skills, and knowledge necessary to use & maintain
technological products & systems. Students collaborated & communicated
their findings of which organisms (fish, coral, crabs, etc) should be
introduced in the tank. By doing so, students understood relationships
between predator, prey, consumers, producers, and symbiosis in a
real-world situation.
These young scientists/students will begin to ask themselves questions, like: Why do we need these animals? What does their survival have to do with human survival? How does human impact affect these creatures and their environments?
With the communities donations, they have increased students' scientific understanding and allowed students to bring the content alive through maintaining a real coral reef tank. Students were able to focus on creating this beautiful oceanic biome but most importantly understand why the understanding of chemistry, relationships between organisms and humans role in sustaining a healthy biosphere. Allowing students to engineer, problem solve, and apply their knowledge will help cultivate students in STEM. Follow along for the journey!
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