Aquariums in NYC Public schools

[fripclaksid]

Hello fellow enthusiasts,

I'm starting a campaign to place aquariums in nyc public schools. The NYC public schools can benefit greatly by having an aquarium in their classes. I'm looking to place the aquariums in public elementary schools. I'm accepting advice, ideas, opinions, volunteers, and most importantly EQUIPMENT!! (tanks, filters, decorations, etc.). Being an avid aquariast I know everyone has something they can donate to the project. I will pick up the products from the NYC area if they are reasonably close.
EVERYONE CAN HELP!! if you don't have items for donation help by spreading the word. Help me reach out to more people. Post our mission on other forums.

Dont you think the NYC public school has been stripped of its enrichments long enough?

Sincerely,

Bill Goody

 

[James]

I was just thinking about this today after I was telling my class about the coral reefs during a cause and effect lesson. I teach in a public middle school in BK and would love to volunteer/participate. This is such awesome timing.

Send me a PM if you want to talk to me on the phone. :splitspin

James

 

[fripclaksid]

pm sent.

 

[prattreef]

I have been working for the past 3 years with the upper-grade science teacher in my son's public elementary school (PS58 in Brooklyn). We have the 5th graders do research on setting up a reef aquarium as a means to teach about all the various things involved--chem. ,bio., ecology, budgeting, conservation, etc. We set up a few small systems with the kids and a 30g. cube in the lobby which we are upgrading this month to a 72 bowfront. It is an incredibly rewarding project and the kids absolutely love the tank. There is an old thread here somewhere documenting the project. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Randy

 

[knugenx]

It's a wonderful idea, but what about the longevity of the system? Who's going to maintain the systems? Who's going to pay for it and with what funds?

Not to stomp on the idea, but we have to look further than just the setting up and filling it process.

Just my input on a wonderful idea.

 

[prattreef]

You are absolutely right. You need parents and at least 1 staff member who is committed to it and it helps if the Principal , PTA and Janitorial staff are behind it too.

 

[James]

I spoke with Bill for awhile before and we are definitely going to try to give it a shot at my school. I am going to pitch the idea to my Principal tomorrow and we are going to take it from there. If the equipment is donated to the school, I am sure there will be some way to get animals, rocks and sand there. As far as maintenance, if you have a willing teacher, that could take care of the M-F and I know that most public schools in NYC have janitors there from 5 a.m. to at least 11p.m. and on weekends too. I think those details could be ironed out. I am already dreaming of an aquarium club at my school!! It can't hurt to try, it's not like this needs to cover all schools. It could start off with whatever donations are made and go from there.

-James

 

[prattreef]

Great go for it. My advice would be to design a system that can go a full 3 day weekend without care. The Summer time is when it really gets tricky.

 

[fripclaksid]

im planning on putting mostly freshwater tanks. I also plan on finding sponsors for products like carbon etc.. Most Freshwater tank can easily go a week without feeding. Maintenance on these tank would be at most once a week 20% water change. Keep in mind most of these tanks will be 10 - 30 gallon tanks. Water change will take 15 minutes tops. I will teach anyone at the school how to maintain the tanks and I will make sure everyone has my contact information for any problems they might come across.

My point.

10-30 Gallon freshwater tanks are very easy to maintain.

(I'm not oppossed to the idea of other tanks like brackish, cichlids, fowlr or even reef if the products are donated.)

 

[fripclaksid]

Like James said worst case scenario the school janitors and security guards are there most of the time. I'm sure we can find at least 1 faculty person in every school.

NYC Aquarium Doctors can visit the tank every 6 months to do a filter pad change and to check up on everything.

 

[2slo4me]

I actually work for the Dept. of Education... If it is a school that ICI covers... If you work for the DOE you know what that organization is. I would be more then willing to help.

However... remember summer is always around the corner.... who will take care of the tanks during the summer months... Maybe you guys should stick with freshwater as for it is not as expensive and its way easier too maintain and keep. IMO.

as for the creator of this thread. May I ask what school will you be setting this tank up in?

reason i ask is because lately I have seen alot of threads like this asking for donations for schools and what not yet they are just keeping the items that were donated to themselves. Not saying this is your intention. But I have seen 1 too many threads/ postings like this and its all a scam.

Hopefully this one isnt.

 

[jackson6745]

It sounds great and all but I would have to think it's a death sentence for all living inhabitants unless they had someone like Randy caring for them
I remember the saltwater fish tank in my high school. There was so much algae I could only see the damsels swim from the top down

 

[prattreef]

You have seen this on this forum??? If so, where please.

 

[gimincorp]

Bill,
I would love to volunteer in the program! I'm on Manhattan (Murray Hill area). I can donate some single-strip lights suitable for mid-sized tanks (between 10 & 29 gallons). Maybe some other equipment. And I have lots of live plants that I grow and sell at $1.00 ONLY for lage quantities. I also have fake plants that I want to sell also at great discount.
I can help setting up or maintaining the FW & SW tanks.
Please PM if interested.

 

[georgelc86]

I love the idea. I would go the opposite of your plan and start with a club first. I think that by starting big at first involving parents and teachers and other school staff it may becoming too much of a burden not only for you but the other people involved. But starting the club keeps it small, more manageable and from there you can gauge the interest of the potential participants. Like the saying goes, Think Global, Act Local. Good luck.

 

[prattreef]

There found it.This is from nearly 3 years ago when I started the project in my son's school :

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/21611-marine-aquariums-educational-tools.html

 

[James]

as for the creator of this thread. May I ask what school will you be setting this tank up in?

reason i ask is because lately I have seen alot of threads like this asking for donations for schools and what not yet they are just keeping the items that were donated to themselves. Not saying this is your intention. But I have seen 1 too many threads/ postings like this and its all a scam.

Hopefully this one isnt.[/QUOTE]

This guy is legit, I spoke with him yesterday and from what I gathered this is genuine and the guy cares about educational opportunities. I spoke with my principal today about this. We are on board, it is pretty easy if no money exchanges hands, it eliminates the bureaucracy that hurts the children. My school is I.S. 285 in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. www.is285.org
I have already mentioned an aquarium club to some of my more advanced/non-apathetic students and I got positive feedback. Many of the kids in this neighborhood have very few hobbies and opening up this world to them is really going to be amazing. There are plenty of kids at my school who play video-games as their only tangible hobby and don't really leave their neighborhoods. It is sad but it is the reality of the situation. This program can only yield positive results. If this gets off the ground I will blog from the school website to document the process (aquarium club, tank, field trips, etc).

James (aka Mr. Passantino):bablefish

 

[fripclaksid]

James has informed me that there is a under maintained 55 gallon tank at his school. I plan on fixing that tank up first. I will keep you guys updated as things progress. I will use this forum as a reference to ask for volunteers should the need arrive. If you are interested feel free to pm me with your available times, name and phone number.

 

[fripclaksid]

I love the idea. I would go the opposite of your plan and start with a club first. I think that by starting big at first involving parents and teachers and other school staff it may becoming too much of a burden not only for you but the other people involved. But starting the club keeps it small, more manageable and from there you can gauge the interest of the potential participants. Like the saying goes, Think Global, Act Local. Good luck.

My vision is finishing one school at a time. If we get the needed donations and volunteers we can go faster. I plan on educating the staff on how to properly maintain the tanks and provide endless support via phone/e-mail. I have started to work on a letter to big name corporations like petco, petsmart maybe even petland for support. What I would like to see is one of these companies stepping up and saying they will provide the needed replacement equipment and/or cartridges.

 

[fripclaksid]

I have been working for the past 3 years with the upper-grade science teacher in my son's public elementary school (PS58 in Brooklyn). We have the 5th graders do research on setting up a reef aquarium as a means to teach about all the various things involved--chem. ,bio., ecology, budgeting, conservation, etc. We set up a few small systems with the kids and a 30g. cube in the lobby which we are upgrading this month to a 72 bowfront. It is an incredibly rewarding project and the kids absolutely love the tank. There is an old thread here somewhere documenting the project. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Randy

What do you guys do in the summer?