It’s All About Aquaponics At MLC’s Symposium Next Week

The public is invited to an Art & Aquaponics Symposium Nov. 15 at Kapolei High School, bringing together talented artists and scientists who revel in the collaboration of art and science as it relates to aquaponics.

“The idea for this symposium came about as we were planning the agenda for our Art & Aquaponics professional development course for teachers,” explained Pauline Sato, executive and program director of Malama Learning Center. “Because the theme is so fun and on top of mind with gardening enthusiasts, we thought it would be a good idea to open up the event to a larger audience and make it a real learning experience for the community.”

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Shannon Kanoe Clarin, a teacher at Ewa Beach Elementary School, learns about the fish used in aquaponics systems.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., participants can enjoy hands-on exercises to create murals and art with recycled materials, as well as gardening.

Specialists will discuss how to create a home aquaponics system (on a budget), where to find supplies locally, where to get advice on maintaining systems, and how aquaponics can be used to teach a variety of subjects.

“We’ve often heard from people wanting to learn more about aquaponics,” Sato added. “From our past workshops, we have seen some amazing backyard aquaponics systems that are very artistic, taking advantage of everyday items that some people find no use for anymore.

“We want more people to learn about this for their own backyards and know that they can do it even if they don’t have a lot of money to get started.”

Registration for the symposium begins at 9:30 a.m. Multimedia artist Solomon At 10 a.m., Enos will discuss how art, science, math, technology, nature and culture can come together to inspire 21st-century education.

Enos also will be designing the mural for students to paint and, when completed, it will be on display as part of Kapolei High School’s new peace garden.

Registration is required online at eventbrite.com, and fee is $10 for students, $25 for teachers and $30 for the public.

The cost also includes lunch for those who register by Nov. 12. The luncheon menu features creations from Kapolei

High’s culinary arts students, and prizes will be given out at the end of the day.

For more details, visit malamalearningcenter.org.