
Sunshine and Smile: Solar- PV Powered Mini Aquaponics with IoT Monitoring Sytem for STEM
Quality Education
5.1 IntroductionThe ' Solar-PV Powered Mini Aquaponics with IoT Monitoring System for STEM’ project addresses crucial aspects related to education, sustainability, and community development. Its goal is to create a portable, affordable, and user-friendly DIY aquaponics system that incorporates solar energy. The project targets 120 students, including those with special needs and students from the Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PKKI), at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Timbul, Senggarang, Batu Pahat. It aims to provide practical application of theoretical knowledge aligned with the Reka Bentuk dan Teknologi (RBT) curriculum. Through collaboration with volunteers, teachers, environmental activists, and the local community, the project strives to establish a sustainable and successful entrepreneurial endeavor. It recognizes the significant gap in Sains, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, particularly the lack of experiential learning opportunities for students. Traditional classroom teaching often fails to effectively engage students and provide real-world applications of theoretical concepts. By designing and implementing a functional aquaponics system, the project aims to bridge this gap by offering students an interactive and practical learning experience. Through building, operating, and maintaining the aquaponics system, students will gain a deeper understanding of renewable energy, sustainable farming practices, and IoT technology. 5.2 ObjectiveThe objectives for this project are: Developing a portable and user-friendly DIY aquaponics kit powered by solar PV.Providing interactive and hands-on learning experiences for school students to understand the principles of aquaponics, renewable energy and data analysis.Promoting environmental sustainability through a real-life aquaponics model, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between fish farming and hydroponics, and highlighting resource efficiency and sustainable agricultural practices.Nurturing STEM education by fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork among students.Encouraging collaboration among volunteers, teachers, environmental activists, and the local community to ensure the success and sustainability of the project. 5.3 My Starfish Foundation and Public SupportThe support from My Starfish Foundation and the public is crucial for the project's success. Financial assistance from My Starfish Foundation and public contributions is essential to fund the development of the Solar-PV Powered Mini Aquaponics System and IoT monitoring system, covering expenses related to materials, equipment, research, development, and production of the aquaponics kits. Furthermore, community engagement is vital for the project's success. By gathering volunteers, teachers, environmental activists, and the local community, the project can establish a support network, foster collaboration, and ensure long-term sustainability. My Starfish Foundation and public support will help promote sustainable farming, STEM education, and community development, establishing aquaponics learning centers in schools and communities. These centers can serve as models for other nearby schools, potentially transforming existing schools into specialized aquaponics learning centers, benefiting future generations and preventing the neglect of similar projects in the future.

Overview of Issue / Background
5.1 Introduction
The ' Solar-PV Powered Mini Aquaponics with IoT Monitoring System for STEM’ project addresses crucial aspects related to education, sustainability, and community development. Its goal is to create a portable, affordable, and user-friendly DIY aquaponics system that incorporates solar energy. The project targets 120 students, including those with special needs and students from the Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PKKI), at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Timbul, Senggarang, Batu Pahat. It aims to provide practical application of theoretical knowledge aligned with the Reka Bentuk dan Teknologi (RBT) curriculum.
Through collaboration with volunteers, teachers, environmental activists, and the local community, the project strives to establish a sustainable and successful entrepreneurial endeavor. It recognizes the significant gap in Sains, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, particularly the lack of experiential learning opportunities for students. Traditional classroom teaching often fails to effectively engage students and provide real-world applications of theoretical concepts. By designing and implementing a functional aquaponics system, the project aims to bridge this gap by offering students an interactive and practical learning experience. Through building, operating, and maintaining the aquaponics system, students will gain a deeper understanding of renewable energy, sustainable farming practices, and IoT technology.
5.2 Objective
The objectives for this project are:
Developing a portable and user-friendly DIY aquaponics kit powered by solar PV.
Providing interactive and hands-on learning experiences for school students to understand the principles of aquaponics, renewable energy and data analysis.
Promoting environmental sustainability through a real-life aquaponics model, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between fish farming and hydroponics, and highlighting resource efficiency and sustainable agricultural practices.
Nurturing STEM education by fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork among students.
Encouraging collaboration among volunteers, teachers, environmental activists, and the local community to ensure the success and sustainability of the project.
5.3 My Starfish Foundation and Public Support
The support from My Starfish Foundation and the public is crucial for the project's success. Financial assistance from My Starfish Foundation and public contributions is essential to fund the development of the Solar-PV Powered Mini Aquaponics System and IoT monitoring system, covering expenses related to materials, equipment, research, development, and production of the aquaponics kits.
Furthermore, community engagement is vital for the project's success. By gathering volunteers, teachers, environmental activists, and the local community, the project can establish a support network, foster collaboration, and ensure long-term sustainability. My Starfish Foundation and public support will help promote sustainable farming, STEM education, and community development, establishing aquaponics learning centers in schools and communities. These centers can serve as models for other nearby schools, potentially transforming existing schools into specialized aquaponics learning centers, benefiting future generations and preventing the neglect of similar projects in the future.
Project Details (Activities and Tasks)
10.1 Project Activities:
- Educational Modules: Develop and share comprehensive modules on aquaponics, sustainable agriculture, and solar-PV integration.
- DIY Kit Assembly: Guide students in assembling the aquaponics DIY kit with step-by-step instructions and visual aids.
- System Installation: Assist students in setting up the aquaponics system, ensuring proper placement of components.
- Fish and Plant Selection: Educate students about suitable fish species and plant varieties for aquaponics.
- System Monitoring: Teach students how to monitor and maintain the aquaponics system, including testing water parameters and adjusting nutrient levels.
- Plant Transplanting: Guide students in transplanting seedlings into the aquaponics system's grow beds.
- Vegetable Harvesting: Instruct students on proper harvesting techniques and ways to utilize the produce.
- Data Collection: Engage students in collecting data on system performance and analyzing it for insights.
- Fish Monitoring: Teach students how to observe fish behavior and ensure their well-being.
- Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Educate students on routine system maintenance tasks and troubleshooting common issues.
10.2 Forecast After Project Implementation:
- Continuous Harvest and Crop Activities: By supplying seeds after the first crop cycle, the project can ensure continuous production of fresh vegetables and herbs. This approach may lead to a sustainable source of food for the community, enhancing food security and promoting healthy eating habits.
- Long-Term Community Engagement: The commitment of the SULAM FKEE UTHM community to continue the project after week 12 is commendable. This ongoing support, including seed and fish supply, monitoring guidance, and maintenance manpower, can lead to the project's sustainability and further development.
- Empowering PPKI SK Seri Timbul: By involving PPKI SK Seri Timbul in the entrepreneurship activity, the project not only provides practical learning opportunities for students but also empowers them with valuable entrepreneurial skills. It can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, encouraging students to take initiative and contribute to the project's success.
- Promoting STEM Education: Establishing a large-scale aquaponics education drop center can significantly contribute to STEM education in the region. Schools around SK Seri Timbul can access the drop center as a valuable resource for hands-on learning experiences. It can also serve as a model for other schools, inspiring them to adopt similar initiatives.
- Community Outreach: The entrepreneurship activities around the school can create a positive impact on the local community. The availability of fresh produce from the aquaponics system can contribute to food security and promote healthy eating habits. Additionally, it may generate interest in sustainable farming practices within the community.
10.3 Module Aquaponic: Types of mini aquaponic
The aquaponics initiative comprises three distinct components, each contributing uniquely to our educational goals. The first component features a comprehensive 20-hole aquaponics system, strategically situated outdoors to serve as the focal point of our aquaponics study. This system offers an innovative platform for students to explore the intricacies of cultivating various vegetables and fish through hands-on experimentation. By delving into the interdependence of plants and fish, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem interactions, nutrient cycling, and water filtration, thereby enriching their knowledge of sustainable agriculture.
The second component encompasses an economical 8-hole aquaponic system, designed with portability and convenience in mind. This compact kit plays a pivotal role in introducing students to the fundamental principles of aquaponics. By engaging in initial hands-on experiences with this scaled-down setup, students will grasp the essentials of plant growth without soil and the utilization of fish waste as plant nutrients. This foundational exposure not only sparks interest in sustainable farming practices but also equips students with practical skills for setting up smaller aquaponics systems.
Lastly, the third component focuses on empowering students with a DIY aquaponics set. This kit contains all necessary materials for crafting a personalized aquaponics system, encouraging creativity and independent learning. By challenging students to customize their setups, they delve into problem-solving and gain insights into the delicate balance between fish, plants, and bacteria. Beyond the classroom, this DIY set enables students to extend their aquaponics education to their homes, fostering deeper comprehension through self-directed exploration. Ultimately, the three components collectively create a comprehensive and immersive aquaponics education that nurtures a profound understanding of sustainable agricultural practices.
Expected Project Result & Outcomes
The project has a set of well-defined expected outcomes that demonstrate its potential for significant impact. Firstly, our objective is to develop a user-friendly, portable, and plug-and-play DIY aquaponics set that allows for easy implementation and management. This DIY kit will serve as an educational tool, enabling schools, educators, NGOs, teachers, volunteers, and activists to promote and utilize aquaponics for their own initiatives and projects. By conducting workshops, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing events, we aim to empower individuals and foster a broader understanding of sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. Additionally, we plan to commercialize and sell the DIY aquaponics set, generating revenue that will not only fund the project's budgets but also bring financial benefits to the community. Through reselling the kits, targeted communities can generate incomes, fostering entrepreneurship and community empowerment. The project's sustainability will be further enhanced by seeking partnerships, sponsorships, and grants. By achieving these expected outcomes, our project aims to have a lasting impact on education, community empowerment, environmental awareness, food security, and sustainable practices.
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Nur Hanis1 month agoRM 100.00
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Nur Hanis3 weeks agoRM 100.00
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Hafiz3 weeks agoRM 50.00
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Fadzlee Yusri Bin Mohd Zamri3 weeks agoRM 200.00
110% of RM1,000.00 Goal