Use your Hands

The aquaponics project (2013-2016) produced organic leafy greens tended from seed, nourished by the fish swimming below, and harvested for consumption in classic farm-to-table fashion. These fish-powered gardens are just one of many student-led sustainability initiatives on campus, initiatives that encourage our students to research, innovate, collaborate, build, analyze and adapt ... while at the same time feeding their friends and getting their hands dirty! Want to learn more? Search on "Principia YouTube Aquaponics."

The student-led Principia Beekeepers Association is supervised by the Sustainability Club and provides students with life skills in beekeeping, honey extraction, native gardening, and community outreach. The apiary is established behind the Science Center, and students active in the association receive regular training from the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association and other professional memberships. Students are also encouraged to take online classes, such as PSU Beekeeping 101.

Want to test an idea? Share it with the world? You can do that! Among the many innovations launched by Principia's sustainability students is this zero emission cargo bike. It's perfect for carrying groceries, packages and toddlers - and it's made entirely from recycled and repurposed components. As part of the project, step-by-step instructions were posted to the "Instructables" online forum (click on the photo) - and with nearly 4,000 views, it was soon highlighted as a site favorite. Not good with a welding torch? Not to worry, our students are crafting everything from sustainable cosmetics to rain gardens. “Everything you can imagine is real.” ~ Pablo Picasso