There is something fishy going on in Moss Point, and it spreading across the country.
The Moss Point College and Career Technical Education Center Aquaculture Program is making waves that are affecting not only the fish it grows but also the booming AI developments that are overtaking the world. Aquaculture Instructor Misti Stelljes and three students will present their FishGuard AI technology in Washington, D.C. as a finalist in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition.
The Moss Point program began operation in 2016 and was the second program of its kind in the state. Today there are still only three aquaculture programs across the state. In this program, students learn to farm in water raising fish, shellfish, and sometimes plants. Aquaculture students must learn to care for the farm using real systems as seen in industry along with monitoring water quality, sustainability and food production.
“A simpler way to say it–it’s fish farming—raising fish and aquatic life just like farmers raise crops or livestock,” Mrs. Stelljes said. “Any high school student can enroll. No experience needed but you must be willing to learn and get your hands a little dirty.”
But her students don’t just get dirty. They become problem-solvers and begin to develop new ways of farming by utilizing past experiences and technological background. While this is a school-day class, it is more like a career than a traditional class.
“We do some classroom work, but students aren’t sitting at desks or using textbooks all day. Most of the time, they’re in the lab working,” she said. “They’re feeding fish, checking water quality, building and fixing systems, and solving problems as they come up. It’s hands-on and designed to feel like what they would actually be doing in a career.”
The career field includes jobs in fish hatcheries, marine biology, environmental science, water quality, fisheries and conservation. But, it was the problem-solving aspect that has awarded this program $50,000 as finalists in the Samsung competition with a chance to double the winnings to $100,000 with the FishGuard AI program that was developed in the lab.
“But honestly, one of the biggest benefits is the hands-on skills students learn,” she added “They’re working with tools, plumbing, small equipment, building and fixing systems, and figuring out how to troubleshoot when something breaks. Those are skills they can take into a lot of different careers, not just aquaculture.”
This school year, the aquaculture students have begun producing bull minnows, a popular live bait among coastal fishermen. The overall goal is to fill the 4,900-gallon baitfish production tank in the lab and to produce sustainable, year-round live bait at the center.
The activity of the Moss Point lab is gaining national exposure after Mrs. Stelljes recently presented at the national aquaculture conference. She said the program differs from others because it is built around industry standards.
“Our students are working on the same types of systems and equipment they would see on the job, so they’re prepared to either keep going in school or step straight into the workforce,” she said. “It also showed that what we’re doing here can be replicated by other schools.”
These conferences help her remain current on industry changes to share with students. Her program continues to experience growth and achievement by earning top scores in work-based learning three years and running.
“The goal is to run this program as close to real industry as possible so students leave here with skills they can actually use,” she said.
The lab features multiple tanks for breeding aquatic life that is native to the south Mississippi environment and habitats. Funding through grants and other programs allows her to upgrade existing systems and provide new opportunities.
While the group is proud to be a finalist in the nationwide competition, support from fellow Mississippians and beyond could provide the public support to put them on top. Voting is open now through April 8! You may vote once a day.
How to Vote:
- Go to: https://www.samsung.com/us/solvefortomorrow/
- Scroll down to find “Moss Point Career and Technical Education, MS: FishGuard AI”
- Click the school name under the video to vote
- Return daily to vote!
