Gill St. Bernard's Senior Henry Smith Introduces Innovative Aquaponics Club 

In a remarkable example of student initiative and environmental stewardship, Gill St. Bernard's School has become home to a new, student-led Aquaponics Club. Launched in August 2023 by Henry Smith, a senior with a passion for environmental science, the club aims to explore and expand upon sustainable agriculture practices through aquaponics—a system that combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants). 

Under the guidance of Faculty Advisor Ned Lincoln, the club has successfully established a self-sustaining aquaponic system located in the Chapin Math and Science Complex. This system ingeniously utilizes fish waste as a natural fertilizer for plants, while the plants, in turn, purify the water for the fish, creating a symbiotic environment that benefits both. The setup includes a sizable fish tank and an array of plants, demonstrating a practical model of circular sustainability. 

“Aquaponics is a very good solution to many of the problems of traditional agriculture—space, water usage, and disease,” Smith explained. “I see the system educating students about sustainable systems and building interest within the GSB community in environmental science and sustainability.” 

The Aquaponics Club meets bi-weekly, dedicating time to maintaining and inspecting the health of both the fish and plants. Among their routine tasks, members ensure the fish are adequately fed and manage plant growth through thinning, which allows for more nutrients to reach the thriving plants. So far, the club has cultivated lettuce, basil, and cilantro, with plans to harvest both the fish and plants for food. Luc Jansson '26, an active member throughout the year, envisions the club's expansion by experimenting with a wider variety of plants, including tomatoes, in the coming years. 

The inception of the club was inspired by Smith's transformative summer experience at The Island School on Eleuthera in The Bahamas, where he learned the potential of aquaponics in repurposing fish waste to grow vegetables. Motivated to share this knowledge with his peers, Smith introduced the aquaponic system to his classmates at the beginning of the school year. 

“The system has been running smoothly since its installation, and the club has been successful thus far,” Smith shared. “I hope that with each coming year the club will expand and will take the aquaponics system and sustainable community to new heights.” 

Smith, who will be continuing his academic pursuits in Environmental Science at Washington & Lee University, hopes to further explore hydroponics and potentially pursue it as a career. He also aspires to inspire younger students at Gill St. Bernard's by sharing the club's achievements with the Lower and Middle School communities. 

“At GSB, we give students opportunities to take action in a complex world in order to foster their engagement with the future,” Lincoln said. “Students like Henry are wonderful examples of the positive impact these actions can have. He's going to continue pursuing his passion in this area, and his stewardship of the club will provide great opportunities for future students to also gain experience and understanding of aquaponics. Who knows how their generational impact will change the world for the better?” 

The Aquaponics Club at Gill St. Bernard's not only exemplifies the power of student-led initiatives in fostering environmental awareness and action but also serves as a beacon of innovation and sustainability within the school community. As the club continues to grow and evolve, it stands as a testament to the impact of hands-on learning experiences and the significant role students can play in advancing sustainable practices.