Natural Resources

Aquaponics Challenge

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The Aquaponics Challenge is an interdisciplinary learning competition for teams in school or after-school programs (for example: 4-H, FFA) in grades 8-12. Teams are student led with support from their coach (teacher or after-school program lead) and each team is provided with a liaison who helps with guidance throughout the season.

Teams can work on the competition as part of a class or as an after-school activity. Multiple teams can register per school and teams can also register as part of afterschool clubs or other academic related organizations. This competition is open to all interested individuals regardless of location. Small team stipends ($150) are available for those in Great Lakes states.

The competition is composed of four challenges and teams can choose to compete in one or multiple with awards for each category as well as a cumulative award. The four challenges include:

  1. Designing and creating an aquaponics system,
  2. Monitoring the system,
  3. Creating a business plan to accompany the system,
  4. Creating a seafood outreach project.

Important Details:

  • Registration deadline is January 12, 2025. Register by completing this form.
  • The competition timeline is January through April, with a virtual awards ceremony held on April 11, 2025.
  • Student teams submit videos showcasing their accomplishments, as well as supporting materials online.
  • Teams are supported with online resources, coach and team Zoom trainings, a small team stipend ($150 for Great Lakes states), and a liaison who helps guide the team during the season.
  • See the 2025 Aquaculture Challenge Team Manual team with detailed information about the competition.
  • Visit the Aquaponics Challenge webpage to find these details and more information.

The aquaculture challenge is a competitive science and business competition hosted by the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network and Lake Superior State University. 

Questions? Contact Elliot Nelson, Michigan Sea Grant, elliotne@msu.edu or Nicole Wright, Ohio Sea Grant, wright.1128@osu.edu

 

Central Ohio Beekeepers Association Youth Scholarships

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The Central Ohio Beekeepers Association (COBA) is accepting applications for their youth scholarship until January 3, 2025. The recipient of this scholarship will receive woodenware consisting of a standard hive including frames and foundation, a bottom board, an inner cover, a top cover, a nucleus of bees with a queen or a package of bees and a queen, and the necessary beginner’s equipment to start the beekeeping project.

The recipient will also receive:

  1. a two-year membership in COBA;
  2. participation in the Association’s meetings and will receive the Association Newsletter;
  3. registration in the assigned beekeeping school;
  4. mentoring by a COBA member throughout the year; and
  5. Association assistance in extracting their second year’s honey harvest.

For more information or to apply for the scholarship please visit: https://centralohiobeekeepers.org/programs

Ohio BASS Nation Community Club

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If you have a passion for the great sport of bass fishing, but do not have a school or community sponsored team, the Ohio BASS Nation now has a way for you to compete at the state level, with the potential to earn scholarship funds, and a path to the national stage! All anglers who currently attend high school in the state of Ohio are invited to join a “Community Club.”

Visit the Ohio BASS Nation website or contact Tasha Burgess, Ohio BASS Nation Youth Director, at obnyouth@gmail.com for more information.

President’s Environmental Youth Award

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Encourage youth with an existing environmental stewardship project or an idea for a project to apply so that their achievements can be further recognized. The President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects developed by K-12 youth. The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation’s natural resources and encourages positive community involvement.

Youth must have completed their project while they were in kindergarten through the 12th grade and the project must be sponsored by an adult who is 21 or older. Applicants from all 50 states as well as U.S. territories are eligible to compete for a national Presidential award.

Visit the President’s Environmental Youth Aware webpage for more information about eligibility requirements, judging criteria, and how to apply.

Explore Maine’s Aquaculture Industry with Virtual Field Trips from Maine 4-H

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Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) are an innovative way for youth to explore and learn about places and people that would otherwise be infeasible! These immersive, online experiences bring Maine’s thriving aquaculture industry to life—no travel required.

Accessible at no cost, the Virtual Field Trips are designed to break down geographical and financial barriers, making high-quality, hands-on learning available to all. Register online to receive a link to the VFTs. Each field trip also comes with complimentary 4-H activity guides and lesson plans to help facilitate meaningful engagement with youth.

The first VFT currently available features the University of Maine’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR), a large-scale, land-based aquaculture facility in Franklin, Maine. Additional virtual field trips are in development and will be rolled out throughout 2025 and 2026. These experiences offer insight into seafood production, workforce development, career exploration, and STEM concepts related to aquaculture technologies.

To register for a virtual field trip, visit extension.umaine.edu/hancock/aquaculture/vft.

For more information: contact Carla Scocchi, 4-H Youth Development Professional at carla.scocchi@maine.edu.

ODNR Now Accepting Applications for November Job Shadow Program

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Attention high school juniors and seniors: the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is excited to announce its upcoming Job Shadow Program this November! This unique opportunity allows students to explore career paths in wildlife, parks, conservation, and more getting an inside look at what a future in natural resources could be.

ODNR Director Mary Mertz emphasizes, “It’s so important that we host these job shadow days to allow future conservationists the opportunity to learn and get excited about what a career at ODNR can look like for them one day.”

ODNR’s Job Shadow Day will be held on Friday, Nov. 22, and applications are being accepted through Oct. 25. Don’t miss your chance to experience a day in the life of Ohio’s dedicated conservation professionals! Apply now on the ODNR Job Shadow webpage.

Youth Fly Fishing Clinic

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The Land of Legends Fly Fishers are happy to host their first Youth Fly Fishing Clinic! The clinic will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Hartford Fairgrounds Natural Resources Area.

Participants will learn about:

  • Fly Casting
  • Fly Tying
  • Gyotaku Printing

Registration is required and is limited. Register to Lisa McKimmins at either lisa.mckimmins@gmail.com or 614.565.8509.

Register for Forestry Wildlife Camp!

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The 2024 Forestry Wildlife Camp will be held at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp from April 19 to 21, and spots will fill up before you know it! This opportunity is open to youth in grades 7-11 and 4-H members in the 12th grade are encouraged to apply as camp counselors. Campers will enjoy wildlife education, fishing, hiking, and tree climbing, and learn about forestry, outdoor survival, and ODNR careers and college opportunities! Registration is due March 28.