MIDDLE SCHOOL GRAND PRIZE

We are now on the Scholastic Website! Visit the link below for more information!

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3750833

S.T.A.X., New Jersey Team: Laila, Amani, Nataly, Miguel, Patrick Teacher advisor Malissa Yabut and New Jersey’s Super Tilapia Algae Xterminators (S.T.A.X.) took it upon themselves to rid their reservoir of algae—the natural way. Tilapia is the name given to nearly a hundred species of fish that prefer warm waters and can barely quell their voracious appetite for algae. S.T.A.X. successfully developed and implemented an aquaculture system—that is, controlled conditions in order to harvest marine organisms—so that it could raise tilapia on its school’s campus. The students secured approval from the proper state governing bodies, and in the spring, will release the fish into their local algae-choked reservoir. Now, get to work, tilapia! For the Final Challenge, the team continued its research—tilapia are not native to New Jersey, so the team is taking steps to prepare caging to keep the fish captive while they’re at work. The students visited nearby schools and colleges to market their idea, too. They presented a bill to local elected representatives, developed an app to further their cause, and more!