Development of indoor aquaponics control system using a computational thinking-based convergence instructional model

Abstract

Attempts have been made to introduce computational thinking (CT) into STEAM education as part of the training of creative and convergent talents. In this study, we designed a CT-based convergence instructional model for creative and integrated education and we developed a system to solve real-world problems using this model. The system developed as a product for convergence education is an indoor Aquaponics model. The Aquaponics model is a circulating model that takes advantage of fish culture and hydroponics cultivation and has recently been highlighted for its eco-friendliness, productivity improvement, and labor reduction. However, it has the disadvantage that continuous monitoring of growth and cultivation environment is necessary. Therefore, with the instructional model we designed, we implemented a remote automatic control using the IoT (Internet of things) to solve the problem of manual monitoring of the Aquaponics model. The results of this study are expected to be the basis of convergence education, leading to creative real-world problem solving through the fusion of science, engineering, and technology, based on CT.