Wondering, what fishes have to do with lettuce, kale, basil, tomatoes, aubergine or even vanilla or bananas? Aquaponics is a polyculture that combines aquaculture with hydroponic cultivation, i.e., connects fish farming with soil-independent food production, in a circular system with the aim of recycling nutrients and reusing water from fish farming.
Aquaponic technology continues to attract attention around the globe, especially in the context of urban farming. It is a circular technology requiring a broad knowledge base: from water chemistry, fish welfare, and plant physiology, to engineering and microbiology. Therefore, aquaponics serves also as a learning model for inter- and transdisciplinary thinking and acting.
“Aquaponics ‒ the circular production system“ offers a new approach to edX courses. The novelty lies in introducing “real world” experience and skills development into a virtual world of learning. The participants acquire essential knowledge about the Aquaponics, combined with most relevant skills to successfully plan and design a sustainable aquaponic system and ensure the welfare of organisms growing in such as system.
The Aquaponics is the first edX MOOC produced at Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW (Figure 1). It was developed by the Institute of Natural Resource Sciences and supported by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. It is also the first course from any university of applied sciences on edx.org.