Blog
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.
October 30, 2018
Our 2018 Youth Conference Videos are up!
We are so excited to announce that the videos from our 7th Annual Youth Conference are up on NYSW YouTube Channel!
The event featured 54 youth speakers from NY Sun Works partner schools, and adult speakers Rob Laing CEO Farm.One and Inspirational speaker Rahfeal Gordon.
Presentations addressed Sustainability Science, Food Justice, Climate, Innovation, Urban Planning, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Click on top left corner of video screen for a dropdown of all presentations
September 6, 2018
Hot off the press: NEW K-5th grade curriculum aligned to the 2018 NYC Science Scope and Sequence
It has been a busy summer at NY Sun Works! Our curriculum development team has designed an entire new set of lessons for Kindergarten to 5th grades that are aligned to the NGSS and the 2018 NYC Science Scope and Sequence. The curriculum is available to all NY Sun Works partner schools and it will be accessible through our online Learning Center.
August 20, 2018
NYSW welcomes new school partners and celebrates 86 labs built across NYC and Northern New Jersey
Summer is always a super exciting time at NYSW and this year was no different. Our team finished building 15 new hydroponic science labs and we are thrilled to welcome our new school partners, teachers and students into the NY Sun Works family.
July 27, 2018
Summer training at PS84
This summer 23 teachers gathered at the greenhouse at PS84, Jose De Diego for our 36 hour training course titled “Water, Waste and Energy – How to bring themes of sustainability into the classroom“. The workshop focuses on supporting teachers to bring engaging and relevant STEM and sustainability education to their students.
June 8, 2018
Sunset BBQ and Lawn Party
Our Sunset BBQ and Lawn Party on Tuesday night turned out to be a truly magical and inspiring evening with 160 people coming together for an urban farm-to-table dinner in support of NY Sun Works and the public schools, teachers and students we serve.
May 21, 2018
Discovering Sustainability Science: Youth Conference
On May 21st at Symphony Space NY Sun Works hosted 54 students from 14 NYC public schools who presented their research on Sustainability Science to a sold-out auditorium of 750 kids and teachers during the the 7th annual NY SUN WORKS Youth Conference. The Conference will also be streamed live, and video presentations will be available on our website this summer.
