For the first time, all the students at the International Institute in Chapala will get the opportunity to be involved in the high school’s aquaponics farm, dubbed “Sierra Farms.”
Chemistry students in 9th and 10th grades will be taking weekly chemical measurements with teacher Alba Cisneros to ensure that the farm’s plants and fish have the proper amount of oxygen, nitrogen, and other nutrients.
Meanwhile, Barrett Brumfield will lead 8th and 11th grade physics students in a series of projects having to do with the farm’s water usage and energy consumption.
Sierra Farms’ electricity runs partially off of solar panels which were installed with federal governmental support.
Martha Mena’s 7th grade students will be tending a small “pollinator garden” that was planted to attract beneficial insects, such as butterflies and ladybugs, to the school’s campus.
Rodrigo Marrujo, who is also Sierra Farms’ administrator, will be teaching his 11th and 12th grade International Baccalaureate business students about marketing, financial, operations strategies; students are integrally involved in selling aquaponics farm products.
Sierra Farms is now selling tilapia, basil, parsley, and tomatoes. Proceeds from sales go toward the science department budget for purchasing laboratory equipment and chemicals.
For input regarding the sustainability curriculum at the school or Sierra Farms in general, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (376) 688-0004 or (376) 688-0005. Tours are available by contacting Rodrigo Marrujo at the above numbers.
The International Institute is located at Calle Internacional 63, Jalisco, across from the Tecnologico Superior de Chapala on the Libramiento.