The Aquaponics Lab is an innovative learning environment that covers one of the “Earth” aspects of the Earth to Sky Park. Inside the lab, guests and students can learn about an alternative farming method called aquaponics that combines fish and plants grown without soil. A closed system of water cycles through from plant beds to large fish tanks, allowing nutrients from the fish waste to feed the plants and oxygen from the plants to help the fish thrive. In the Earth to Sky Park lab you will find Koi, Goldfish, and Blue Gill helping basil and lettuce grow.
In addition to demonstrating how farmers can maximize greenhouse space for plant production, the aquaponics lab also illustrates methods that astronauts would use to grow plants on future colonies on Mars!
*Currently the Aquaponics Lab is closed until greenhouse repairs are funded and completed.
Call 828-470-7584.
Email with Observatory questions: observatory@mayland.edu
Email with Planetarium questions: planetarium@mayland.edu
Physical Address:
66 Energy Exchange Dr. Burnsville, NC.
Mailing address:
PO Box 547 Spruce Pine, NC 28777.