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Students and local business owners unloading donated produce

Student Opportunities

Want to join SARC for great experience as a student?

Many of our day-to-day workers are student volunteers, interns researchers earning course credit, or CWSP (work-study) employees earning extra money. Check out the details here, then contact the Curator for more info about becoming a volunteer, intern, or employee; contact any of SARC faculty about current research opportunities.

Collaborations

Interested in collaborating about the biological, chemical, mechanical, ecological, sustainability, economics, or data-management aspects of aquaponics?

Research at SARC often involves interdisciplinary collaborations, much like the aquaponics ecosystem is highly interconnected. Heather Joesting and Anthony Siccardi have active research programs at the facility, including analysis of plant phytochemicals in aquaponics and use of biomass from algal turf scrubbers for fish food. More information about their research is available here, including recent collaborations with other faculty. Please contact them directly with any questions about future collaboration.

Community Connections

‘Tina the Tilapia’ often travels with us to outreach events, even if the students can’t join us at the greenhouse on campus!
‘Tina the Tilapia’ often travels with us to outreach events, even if the students can’t join us at the greenhouse on campus!

Are you a K-12 teacher or Savannah local looking for more information about aquaponics? Interested in visiting SARC with your students? Heard about us from someone who attended STEMFest or a Field Experiences day through the i2STEMe center?

We provide field trips and advice on a variety of topics about aquaponics, and are in the process of building a continuing education program for aquaponics at Georgia Southern University.

if you’re looking for resources, several free resources are listed here.

Community Connections

K-12 Schools

Georgia Southern’s STEMFest is one of our biggest outreach events each year! This is a great event on the Statesboro Campus with dozens of hands-on booths for middle-school aged students.

SARC also currently provides half-day field trips for local school groups, which consist of a short classroom lecture in one of our campus laboratories and a tour of the greenhouse. Contact the Director or Curator if you would like to discuss having SARC come to your own local school’s STEMFest event, or to arrange a tour.

Continuing Education

Whether you are a military veteran looking for a new career or a gardener looking to expand into aquaponics, continuing education programs with Georgia Southern University can provide you with the experience and knowledge that you need. Program currently under development. Contact the Director or Curator for more information as this program develops.

Sponsors

SARC appreciates the support of many sponsors at Georgia Southern University and in the community. We also have an ongoing Farm-2-Table initiative, where we supply fresh produce to Eagle Dining services on the Armstrong Campus!

Our Sponsors

Student Opportunities

Volunteers

Do you love gardening, building things, or want to spend some time relaxing in a greenhouse? SARC volunteers learn about how the aquaponics system works, and typically visit 1-2 hrs per week, within designated hours. The curator trains all new volunteers on the tasks that need to be done, which can include: trimming flowers on plants, harvesting & maintaining crops, cleaning rafts, painting, helping with building & repair projects, and many other everyday tasks. Contact the SARC curator for more information on volunteer opportunities.

Internships

Internships are a more structured opportunity for students to work at SARC, either for course credit (1-3 per semester, maximum of 3 new curriculum / 9 old curriculum) or simply for the experience. As a benefit, potential employers and program advisors see the results of your dedication! Scheduling is typically flexible once you are trained on the tasks. In order to work with the aquaculture portion of the system, such as feeding & monitoring the fish, interested interns complete additional training on an as-needed basis. Interns often return to SARC several semesters in a row, or move on to become researchers or employees. Contact the SARC curator for more information on internship opportunities.

Researchers

Research students work directly with a faculty member and the SARC curator to learn about the system and conduct a small-scale research project over the course of one or more semesters. Research students can be paid employees or working for course credit (1-3 per semester, maximum of 6). Depending on the topic of study, research student duties will include a range of tasks at the SARC facility, such as feeding fish, cleaning tanks, monitoring plants, etc. Contact the SARC senior scientist or other faculty members for more information on research opportunities.

Student Jobs

Student employees are often in the greenhouse the most of any of the student workers, typically 8-20 hours per week, depending on their mode of employment. SARC employs both traditional and Federal College Work-Study employees, which learn more extensive skills regarding system care & maintenance, fish handling, troubleshooting, etc. They are often students with previous experience in aquaculture or gardening, or former interns/researchers/volunteers at SARC, and complete additional training. Contact the SARC curator or senior scientist for more information on employment.

I enjoy being in the greenhouse, caring for the plants. It is very relaxing! I grew so much and became more active and comfortable with learning to listen to and respect people’s differences.
Nhien L. joined summer 2018
My SARC research helped me secure multiple internships with potential employers that otherwise would have not been available to me, and let me solidify my passion for biology as a viable career choice.
Michelle Production tracking.
I love plants and gardening; working here has taught me a new, sustainable farming method and many ways I can help plants thrive. I also love being able to encourage others to grow their own food using aquaponics!
Alex Filter cleaning.

Potential Learning Outcomes from SARC Experience

Maintain laboratory and greenhouse systems; employ appropriate techniques to facilitate rigorous scientific experimentation & replication using independent systems; monitoring environmental and water quality parameters; techniques for harvesting produce for sale.

Basic plant care and maintenance for optimal biomass production; planting seeds and transplanting seedlings according to seasonal planting guides; monitoring plants for pathogens, pests, nutritional deficiencies; organically treat plants for pathogens and pests; maintain nutrient supplementation regimes.

Basic fish husbandry and maintenance for healthy, optimal biomass production; adjust and maintain appropriate water quality; monitor fish biological parameters; rearing and enhancing the growth of fish eggs and fry; monitor fish for symptoms of disease and stress; assist with treating fish for disease.

Develop and update marketing materials; Enhance and build marketing of SARC food; Enhance and expand SARC website; Update relevant news and staff information regarding aquaponics and SARC; Expand online presence and visibility via social media and student organizations.