Wood receives $2,500 grant from Great Plains

Amanda Wood, fifth-grade teacher at Perkins County Schools, recently received a $2,500 grant from Great Plains Communications for her aquaponics system project. 

Anthony Rosane and Brandon Wood of Great Plains presented Amanda and her fifth-grade class a check on Wednesday, April 17.

Wood said understanding how Earth’s four systems interact with one another is a tested fifth-grade standard.  

The aquaponics system will use these four systems: hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and geosphere, to sustain a completely organic system where the hydrosphere is recycled and the nutrients from the fish will help the plants absorb the nutrients they need. 

“In other words, it is a completely balanced ecosystem. It will be a perfect model for the students to interact with,” said Wood.

This award is part of the Great Plains Communications “Commitment to Our Schools” program, which provides nearly $35,000 annually to schools and students in the form of grants and scholarships.

“We found this concept to be educational and very interesting for young students as they watch the concept come to life,” said Laura Kocher, marketing and public relations director for Great Plains Communications.  “Allowing our young students to learn through a hands-on approach like aquaponics can bring a whole new level of interest to the science curriculum. We are happy to partner with Perkins County Elementary to make this happen.”