Aquaponics System for the Holmdel School District

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a cutting-edge system that farms fish and plants together combining aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil) in a sustainable, symbiotic environment. It teaches ecological balance, sustainable farming, reducing strain on natural resources and hands-on STEM applications—skills critical for the future. Examples of the systems components can be viewed below.

How will this Aquaponics Lab impact Holmdel students?

• High School Programs: Students in Environmental Ecology, General and AP Science courses, the STARS program, Robotics & Engineering, our first-class Culinary Program, business / entrepreneurship, and advanced research classes, just to name a few, will utilize the Lab to learn through firsthand exploration.

• K-8 Opportunities: Younger students will use the Lab during intradistrict field trips to the high school and participate in aquaponics farming and community gardening initiatives. The Aquaponics Lab will prepare Holmdel’s students to be good stewards of the Earth and their community through donations of produce to local food pantries—strengthening community partnerships and collaborating with the Green Team.

• Fostering Community: This initiative will create a flagship space that ties together the sustainability and agricultural experiences Holmdel students have experienced as they journeyed through our District. It is the most fitting capstone to the educational journey that honors Holmdel’s past while equipping our students with the tools needed to preserve Holmdel’s environment in the future. This Lab will also foster deeper connections among Holmdel’s students, educators, and local organizations, further solidifying the Holmdel School District as a leader in academic innovation.

The Holmdel Foundation for Educational Excellence (HFEE) marked the completion of another innovative project for the Holmdel Township School District with the ribbon cutting of a new Aquaponics Learning Lab at Holmdel High School on Tuesday, February 10th 2026.

Designed to inspire hands-on learning, innovation, and meaningful community engagement, the Aquaponics Learning Lab is the result of months of collaboration between the Foundation, district leadership, and educators. The project brought together Superintendent of Schools Dr. Cascone, K–12 Supervisor of Science, Engineering, and Technology Alicia Killean, and dedicated district staff to create a space where sustainability and science intersect in a real-world learning environment. Read the Tapinto Article HERE.