Blog
June 21, 2019
Early Bird Tickets for NYSW Annual Event Now Available!
Join us for a spectacular sunset evening of fancy drinks, farm to table snacks, a few games and perhaps some dancing.
Monday September 16th at The Press Lounge!
Our greenhouse science labs are educating NYC students for a sustainable future, and we hope that everyone who has been a partner in our success will participate. We think this years venue will be perfect for the celebration – a big beautiful rooftop with a greenhouse!
Click Here For Your Early Bird Tickets
June 8, 2019
NY Sun Works – Rebirth our Earth
Blog post by NYSW Youth Press Team Member Silvie Leaf. Silvie is a 5th grade student at PS 333
On May 20th, 2019, at Symphony Space on Broadway and 95th in New York City, the NY Sun Works Youth Conference was held. At the conference, there were 25 students and five guest speakers talking about why it’s important for everyone to help save our planet. Read »
May 15, 2019
NY Sun Works Hosts Science and Sustainability Youth Conference
On Monday, May 20, 2019, from 10:30am to 12:30pm EST, 53 students from 16 NYC public schools will be presenting their research on Sustainability Science to a sold-out auditorium of 700 students and teachers during the the 8th annual NY Sun Works Youth Conference. The Conference will also be streaming live from Symphony Space 2537 Broadway, New York, NY.
April 10, 2019
Q349 Greenhouse Classroom Ribbon Cutting Celebration
The Queens School for Leadership and Excellence gave their Hydroponics Greenhouse Classroom an official Ribbon Cutting event! The celebration began with a breakfast and school presentations in the library, which included a musical presentation from the Student Leaders and some words from Principal Howell and Magnet Coordinator, Leslie Brown.
Student Leaders toured guests through the hydroponic systems, served class-made pesto on crackers at their Farm Stand table, and demonstrated the Energy Bike.
January 29, 2019
St Matthias Becomes The First Catholic Elementary School To Have Hydroponic STEM Lab
On January 29th, St. Matthias Catholic Academy were very excited to welcome local politicians and community leaders for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of their new NY Sun Works STEM Lab. The event showcased the new program with student led tours, a cooking demo and students building their own hydroponic systems.
“Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are the careers of the future, which is why we made the important decision to be the first NYC Catholic Academy to build a Hydroponic Lab. We wanted to ensure our students —our future leaders—have access to a cutting edge STEM curriculum”, shared Barbara Wehnes, the academy’s principal.
January 12, 2019
NYSW Partners with Chef Peter Balistreri of Tender Greens
The students at PS 157 are so excited to be cooking with Chef Peter!
During this session the busy Pre-K Farmer Scientist prepared green smoothies using freshly harvested Kale and other delicious veggies. Although the main topic on their minds this morning seemed to be superheros, many lined up for seconds – and thirds – with happy smiles!
December 10, 2018
Constantinides Unveils New Hydroponic Lab at I.S. 126
Council Member Costa Constantinides joined with educators and innovative science professionals to open a new hydroponic laboratory at I.S. 126, another major step in his Science 2050 budget initiative. A remarkable 11 schools in Council District 22 have received funding for NY Sun Works Greenhouse Classrooms since Constantinides took office in 2014.
“Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are the careers of the future, which is why it’s important we give tomorrow’s leaders hands-on opportunities today,” said Council Member Constantinides, who also chairs the Committee on Environmental Protection. “I hope I.S. 126 students will greatly benefit from this lab, as students throughout our district will in generations to come. Thanks to New York Sun Works and the faculty of I.S. 126 for your partnership on this project.”
November 20, 2018
Students Growing for a Cause
This year we developed a program to help our students and teachers distribute the 70,000 lbs of food grown collectively grown in our greenhouse classrooms throughout their communities – many of which are food deserts – at school events, farm stands, and food pantries.
November 15, 2018
City As School Opens Greenhouse Clasroom
On a snowy November morning Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, students, teachers, School Construction and other community members celebrated City As School High School new Greenhouse Classroom.
The fundraising efforts were led by City As School teacher and Alum Naima Freitas who will be using NY Sun Works curriculum with experiments and research that connect science to math, social studies and art. “I am especially excited about using this classroom as a demonstration site for local elementary and middle schools,” said Freitas, “and will be working with my students to plan Pay What You Can Farm Stands and Cooking Demos with their hydroponic harvests”
November 6, 2018
Election Day Professional Development
On November 6, 2018, NY Sun Works hosted a day of development for all K-5 partner teachers. Discussions centered on the new programs and platform which have been specifically designed according to the new NYC Science Scope and Sequence.
Some of the teachers who joined were brand new partners and others have been integrating hydroponic sustainability science into their school program for years. But regardless of level or experience, we all learned a lot about the process of keeping a working farm up and running within the context of a science lab. By the end of the day, we felt confident all of our partner teachers were ready to inspire their students to become active citizens and Farmer Scientists who engage in positive and meaningful environmental change.
