Unit 1: Phase 1: System Awareness and Baseline Observation

Students will know the basic components of an aquatic ecosystem, including fish, plants, bacteria, and abiotic factors such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and dissolved oxygen.
Students will understand that aquatic systems are dynamic and that imbalance produces observable stress indicators.
Students will recognize that aquaponics systems function as interconnected biological and chemical cycles rather than isolated parts.

Students will observe three aquatic systems and document differences.
Students will conduct regular water testing and record parameter data.
Students will identify indicators of stress in plants and water conditions.
Students will analyze patterns in parameter shifts and begin identifying instability.
Students will respond to an algae bloom event and begin asking mechanistic questions about system imbalance.

Observation journals
Water testing logs
Written analysis of stress indicators
Algae bloom reflection explaining observed imbalance