EDUCATING THE FUTURE AND PRESENT WORKFORCE THROUGH INTERACTIVE, HANDS-ON  APPLICATIONS OF AQUACULTURE

Emma Wiermaa*, Greg Fischer, and Chris Hartleb
 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
 Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility
 Bayfield, WI 54814
 
 Email:ewiermaa@uwsp.edu
 Phone: 715-779-3262

Although the global aquaculture industry is increasing in size and production, the workforce needed to support the industry is lacking in educated and experienced individuals. Receiving an education may be the first step, but hands-on experience and applied research is crucial. The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (UWSP-NADF) is a state-of-the-art facility that connects with all ages and levels in aquaculture to sustain and advance the industry.  By means of this facility, knowledge is gained through experience working with a variety of systems, species, and techniques. The UWSP-NADF's unique outreach program relates  to all groups; sparking aquaculture interest in students K-12, providing a world class college education through internships, and developing strong partnerships directly with the aquaculture industry to create and sustain businesses.

Iniating curiosity and understanding of aquaculture and aquaponics at a young age is a head start to educating a future workforce and developing public awareness. The UWSP-NADF outreaches to students K-12 across Wisconsin and has been a direct leader in encorporating aquaponics and aquaculture systems into classrooms of local schools. With these partnerships, schools have the opportunity to include students in various activities that educate through hands-on knowledge and experiences both in and out of the classroom. Regarding higher education, UW-Stevens Point is the only university in Wisconsin to offer an aquaculture minor and the first in the nation to offer semester-long college aquaponic courses and a professional aquaponics certificate. With these opportunities and internships at the UWSP-NADF, students recieve a well rounded education, working with a diversity of cold and cool water fish species at all life stages as well as various incubation systems, ponds, raceways and indoor recirculation systems. Interns perform applied research projects that directly relate to the industry and the facility's private buisiness partnerships. Because of these courses and the hands on experience needed, students are receiving a world-class education and high success to directly benefit the aquaculture industry.