Argus Donates To School Aquaculture Program
The Argus Group today [May 7] announces its support of Sandys Middle School’s aquaculture programme. Launched this school year and known as the Fish Farm programme, it aims to give students a hands-on learning experience in the growing and selling of tilapia. The Argus donation helped the school purchase aquaculture equipment, tanks, measuring tools and feed for the fish.
Students participate in the programme during lunch and after school. They care and nature the fish which includes cleaning the tank, feeding the fish, tracking the water temperature and testing the water for nitrate and other chemicals.
At the start of the programme the fish were small fingerlings and by the end of the year, the fish are expected to grow into mature tilapia that will be sold for profit. The added dimension of selling the fish will serve as an introduction to business for the students.
Cesare Filice, Head of Science Department at Sandys Middle School, says: “We thank Argus for their support of the Fish Farm programme. The reception of the students and faculty to the programme has been incredible and we hope to grow the programme in the coming years. We hope to start selling the fish soon and ultimately, our goal is to offer students a practical look at a project from its inception to the end product.”
Lauren Bell, Executive Vice President of Life & Pensions at the Argus Group, says: “Sandys Middle School’s Fish Farm programme is a unique experience for students to learn about a new industry and we are delighted to support it.
“Developed as a fun extracurricular activity, the Fish Farm programme teaches students valuable lessons about responsibility and accountability. As the programme grows to include selling the fish, it will also impart important business and marketing skills to these young students, which we believe will help them later in life when they join the workforce.”
The Fish Farm programme currently involves students aged 11-13 years. Beyond its inaugural year, the programme is expected to expand to include more students.
Under the leadership of the Board of Governors, in early 2014, Sandys Middle School obtained the first aquaculture license in Bermuda, granting the school commercial aquaculture rights.
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Category: All, Environment
Congrats to all involved.
This is tangible knowledge and relevant to an island community.
Quo Fata Ferunt