Gadsden State Aquaculture Students Earn Internships At Disney World

Gadsden, Ala.— Two Gadsden State Community College students have wonderful plans for the second part of 2018. Brianna Boswell and Chelsie Smith will begin an eight-month internship through the Disney Advanced Internship Program on June 6.

“This is a great experience for me before I move forward in my career,” said Boswell, a 20-year-old from Ragland.

Both Boswell and Smith are aquaculture students at Gadsden State. Through Jan. 26, they will work at Epcot in the Animal Science and Environment Department and participate in the aquaculture and hydroponics field experience. The internship is a part of their practicum to receive a certification as an aquaculture technician from Gadsden State.

“We will work with the fish the same way we do in the hatcheries at Gadsden State,” said Boswell. “The fish will be brought into a population that we will be responsible for, which is a large aquarium. We will be in charge of each fish in that population.”

They will focus on aquaponics, a system that combines conventional aquaculture with hydroponics in a symbiotic environment. They are currently studying aquaponics at Gadsden State.

“We have a hydroponic recirculation system using fish and vegetation,” Smith said. “Aquaponics creates a sustainable ecosystem. The fish create fertilizer with their waste, which is then circulated to the plants. This practice reduces water usage and the use of pesticides.”

At Gadsden State, there’s a greenhouse with basil, habanero and ghost peppers, chives, catnip, cucumbers, tomatoes and broccoli as well as flowering plants, such as marigolds and snapdragons. A small aquarium at Epcot will be solely dedicated to the study of aquaponics.

“The fish will include tilapia, catfish, sturgeon, freshwater prawns, koi, eel and hybrid strip bass,” said Smith, 24, a Maryville, Tenn., native.

Boswell gives credit to the Gadsden State Aquaculture Center and Dr. Hugh Hammer, director, for choosing aquaculture as her career path.

“I was going to a four-year university but I decided to come to Gadsden State specifically to work with Dr. Hammer in his program,” Boswell said. “When I entered the program, I immediately started taking water chemistry and biology courses. The classes incorporate hands-on experiences while working in the hatcheries taking care of the recirculating aquaculture systems.

“I firmly believe that my experiences at Gadsden State is the reason I was picked for the Disney internship. It’s certainly going to be a magical experience.”

Smith first earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Alabama in Huntsville before coming to Gadsden State to earn her aquaculture certification.

“I met Dr. Hammer at Dauphin Island, and I moved here specifically to be a part of his program,” she said. “I’m getting the highest quality education and technical training available to students in the aquatic field.”

For Hammer, it’s always satisfying to see his students succeed.

“I’m very proud of both these young students,” he said. “I know that this opportunity in particular is a dream come true for both of them. It’s truly an honor that Gadsden State students were awarded the only two spots for this prestigious internship. It couldn’t have happened to better students. I know that they will represent Gadsden State well.”

Aquaponics – Aquaponics is being practiced and studied at Gadsden State. The aquaculture students are using two different techniques with clay balls and floatation devices to create a sustainable ecosystem.
Hugh, Chelsie and Brianna – Dr. Hugh Hammer, director of the Gadsden State Aquaculture Program, is pictured in the greenhouse with students Chelsie Smith, middle, and Brianna Boswell. The students have been accepted into the prestigious Disney Advanced Internship Program.

 

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