Friday, April 25, 2008
By Jessica Driscoll

OODBURY HEIGHTS Technology education students at Gateway Regional High School were rewarded for their efforts in sustainability and alternative energy Thursday with a $5,000 Environmental Community Service award.

Students in Chris Anderson and Chris Better's tech ed classes have been working for the past few years on developing a hydroponics system of growing vegetables, fruits and herbs without soil and raising full-grown tilapia fish which produce natural fertilizer for the plants.

"Basically, we tried to make a sustainable system where the nitrogen-rich fish waste would cycle through the filter and then feed into the water where the plants are growing," said student Alex Gormley, 17. "We saw hydroponics as a new field and chose to capitalize on the many opportunities it provides."

In recognition of the unique program, the classes received the award sponsored by the Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox environmental law firm, Wawa, Inc. and NBC 10 which was created three years ago to recognize students throughout the Delaware Valley who have worked on sustainability programs that connect to the community.

"This project combines three terrific elements sustainability, education and alternative energy," said attorney Robert D. Fox. "It's really amazing how these students were able to combine all of these elements and reuse all of their products."

To demonstrate the viability of the project in everyday life, junior Laurel Kramer worked nearby preparing a pesto sauce which she served with spaghetti to her classmates and guests.

"We made this sauce by combining the fresh basil we have grown hydroponically with some garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and spices," said Kramer. "It's a useful way to produce your own food."

Better said Gateway has one of the few programs in the state that is teaching hydroponics and plans to expand the project in years to come.

"Next year we'll raise brook trout because they are raised in a lower temperature water which is better for the plants," he said.

"And we'll be trying to figure out how to use less energy by implementing skylights for solar power or LEDs," added Anderson.

One thing is clear, the success the students have encountered growing everything from cucumbers to strawberries to Japanese eggplant proves that further studies in hydroponics are worth continuing.

"The environment is a very hot issue right now," said Gormley. "If we can make a difference here in the schools, we can inspire even more grand-scale initiatives with similar technology."

Link to original article:  http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/local/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1209105607291500.xml&coll=8