Upcoming Events
NY Sun Works Partnership Info Sessions
Are you interested in bringing a NY Sun Works hydroponic farm classroom to your school? Join us for an information session to learn more about our program, hear about grants available for hydroponic classrooms including capital funding, and ask our team any questions you may have. Registration is now available for Zoom information sessions, please spread the word!
Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 3-4 pm – Register Here
Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 10-11 am – Register Here
Monday, Dec. 18 | 3-4 pm – Register Here
Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 | 3-4 pm – Register Here
Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 | 10-11 am – For Bronx Schools – Register Here
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 | 3-4 pm – Register Here
Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 | 10-11 am – Register Here
Making Learning Visible in Your Hydroponic Classroom PD
Wondering how to make learning more apparent in your Greenhouse Classroom? At these virtual professional learning sessions, we invite partner teachers (especially those teaching PreK-8th Grade) discuss strategies for highlighting student work and the process of making the classroom reflect the learning happening within it. We will base some of our work around project-based learning practices and gather inspiration from the Reggio Emilio approach.
Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 3-4 pm – Register Here
Thursday, Nov. 30 | 11 am – 12 pm – Register Here
Climate Science and Farming Foundations 2.0 PD
Join us for an in-depth look at climate science and the ways in which you can integrate it into your hydroponic classroom! During this virtual PD, you’ll build confidence and gain skills in incorporating climate education into your classroom while collaborating with peers and experts. If you’re looking to emphasize climate connections in your class even further, this is the PD for you!
Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 3-4 pm – Register Here
Thursday, Dec. 14 | 11 am – 12 pm – Register Here
Previous Events
Election Day Professional Development Sessions For New & Veteran Teachers!
Partner teachers, get ready for our annual NY Sun Works Election Day PD! First year educators will join together at our flagship greenhouse on the Upper West Side to deepen their knowledge of our Farming Foundations curriculum, perform mock harvesting focused on Honorable Harvest practices, and practice planning their harvest cycles. Similarly, veteran hydroponic teachers will meet in Williamsburg at PS 84 Jose De Diego to explore and engage in our curriculum expansion, Farming Foundations 2.0, as well dive deeper into the Honorable Harvest and advanced agricultural management techniques. These collaborative, full-day PDs will help partner teachers connect with one another and share stories and successes from our hydroponic labs!
STEM Hydroponic Kit Info Sessions
We’re excited to share that we will be offering our STEM Hydroponic Kits again this fall! If your school is interested in requesting STEM Kits for the 2023-2024 school year (they will be available for delivery starting in October 2023), please complete this form.
The education team will be hosting several virtual information sessions to share with teachers the goals of our STEM kits as well as ideas for how to utilize them and the associated curriculum in the classroom. Please sign up for one of the STEM Kit Info Sessions below!
Curriculum Update Professional Development Sessions
The NY Sun Works Education Team invites our partner teachers to our first professional learning sessions of the school year on Tuesday, September 19 virtually on Zoom!
In these sessions, partner teachers will hear all about our big updates to the NY Sun Works curriculum including Farming Foundations 1 revisions, our new climate change-focused Farming Foundations 2, and more! Come ready to learn about integrating this curricula into your hydroponic classroom and ask fellow teachers questions to start the year off growing strong. This professional learning event is open to all teachers, but especially will benefit our veteran K-8 teachers. Please register below for your preferred session!
ASPDP: Energy, Water, Waste: Integrating themes of Sustainability into your Classroom
Our iconic summer ASPDP course, “Energy, Water, and Waste: Integrating Themes of Sustainability into Your Classroom” is back! This course on simple sustainability offers preK-8th grade teachers (including non-NY Sun Works teachers) the unique opportunity to delve deeper into global environmental issues on a local level. With a focus on Danielson Competency 3c, Engaging Students in Learning, teachers will learn effective ways to motivate and maintain the interest of students with special needs or who are learning English as a second language, as well as inspire general education and gifted students. This course also includes collaborative projects which emphasize the importance of environmental racism, especially as it pertains to NYC residents.
All ASPDP courses can be used as P or A+ credits towards your NYC DOE salary differential (30+). ASPDP courses also count as hours toward the Continuing Teacher and Leader Education requirements by NYSED: You can receive credit towards your differential and hours towards CTLE at the same time. This class is 45 hours CTLE, and counts for 3 P or A+ credits.
Chancellor’s Day Professional Learning Sessions
The NY Sun Works education team is hosting our final professional learning sessions for this school year on Thursday, June 8th (Chancellor’s Day) from 9:00 AM-1:30 PM virtually on Zoom!
We are excited for the opportunity for teachers to network, share lesson ideas, reflect on the year in our hydroponic labs and set goals for next year. We look forward to seeing you there! Through these teacher-led sessions, you will have the opportunity to share stories and projects from your classrooms and set goals and plan for the following year. Below are some topics that will be covered throughout the day by our partner teacher presenters:
- Integrating NYSW curriculum with existing curriculum
- Sustainability in the Hydroponic Classroom
- Community Connections with the Hydroponic Classroom
- Classroom management in the Hydroponic Classroom
- Multiple classes in the Hydroponic Classroom
- Accessibility for different needs in the Hydroponic Classroom
Youth Conference Info Sessions (K-5; 6-8; 9-12)
If you are interested in learning more about our 12th annual New York Sun Works Discovering Sustainability Science Youth Conference, please join us at one of our information sessions! Our annual conference brings together students from hundreds of partner classrooms across the five boroughs of New York City to share students’ own investigations and action projects through student-led presentations!
Making Learning Visible PL (K-5; 6-8; 9-12)
Wondering how to make learning more apparent in your Hydroponic Classroom? At this virtual professional learning session, we will discuss strategies for highlighting student work and the process of making the classroom reflect the learning happening within it. We will base some of our work around project-based learning practices and gather inspiration from the Reggio Emilio approach.
Advanced Hydroponic Practices PD (K-5; 6-8; 9-12)
If you have been partnering with NY Sun Works for more than two years – this professional learning opportunity is for you! These sessions are designed for our partner teachers and administrators at our veteran schools to learn and share advanced Hydroponic classroom practices. Participants will come away from the session with new strategies to facilitate student-led investigations, student hydroponic technology design, and advanced controlled agriculture farming practices.
Climate Change and Ecojustice for the Middle Grades PL (6-8)
Middle school educators – join us in our quest to bring climate education to the middle grades! In this virtual session you will hear from climate education experts from the field about their work. You will also learn from and with one another about how to: effectively implement environmental justice and advocacy in your Hydroponic classrooms, call your students to action, and incorporate climate education into the curriculum that you teach. Teachers will connect with one another and come away with tangible next steps to implement climate education projects, lessons, and experiences in your classrooms!
Fishing for Knowledge – High School Professional Learning (9-12)
For the Elijah McCoys, Ricardo Salvadors, and Miss Frizzles of the science classroom we are ready for you! Join NY Sun Works High School educators at NY Harbor School on Governor’s Island to learn about advanced aquaponic/hydroponic techniques and how to address social justice issues like food insecurity to empower and not deflate student voice. Meet with teachers and controlled environment agricultural experts to learn how they use their knowledge of engineering, agriculture, and advocacy to level up the learning.
Hydroponics in Special Education Settings Round Table PL (K-12)
At this round table professional development session, teachers from D75 schools and other special education settings will collaborate and discuss best practices for integrating hydroponics and NY Sun Works curriculum into their classrooms. Teachers will discuss how they differentiate materials as well as lessons to fit their students’ needs and exchange ideas.
NY Sun Works Superintendent Info Sessions
We are hosting information sessions for all NYC superintendents to learn more about the NY Sun Works program and how our hydroponic farm classrooms operate in 230 schools across the city. Please register for one of our two sessions below!
Student-Led Investigations and Community Connections PD (K-5; 6-8; 9-12)
Teachers in this virtual session will have the opportunity to adapt and develop student-led investigations that will enhance students’ identities as farmer scientists as well as increase student knowledge surrounding hydroponic technology and human impact on the environment. Teachers will also begin to develop community outreach goals as we explore ways to connect learning taking place in the hydroponic lab to the larger school and surrounding communities. All partner teachers are welcome!
Farming Foundations and Inquiry-Based Learning PD (K-5; 6-8; 9-12)
New partner teachers – this PD is for you! Through this PD, participants will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the Farming Foundations unit, ask questions, work with fellow partner teachers, and generate specific ideas to bring back to their classrooms. Teachers will also practice creating inquiry-based learning experiences to drive hands-on, student-generated learning in their hydroponic labs.
Learning Station Rotation PD (Election Day PDs) (K-5; 6-8; 9-12)
We will be hosting IN PERSON sessions for our Election Day PD offerings in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. During these sessions, partner teachers will work in stations according to their grade level. Teachers will have the opportunity to experiment with new investigations, ask peers for feedback, and build connections with other NY Sun Works partner teachers. Food provided! Details with exact locations to come! Sign up to reserve your in person spot!
Harvest Program PLs for Veteran Partner Schools (K-5; 6-8; 9-12)
If you have been partnering with NY Sun Works for more than two years – this professional learning opportunity is for you! These sessions are designed to help partner teachers and administrators in our veteran schools learn more about our Harvest Program. This program connects our farm classrooms to school communities through fresh produce and shared learning. By bringing families’ funds of knowledge back into the classroom, we extend learning opportunities beyond school walls and deepen the connection between students, families, and the climate education provided by our labs.
STEM Hydroponic Kit Curriculum PLs
The NY Sun Works education team is hosting STEM Hydroponic Curriculum PLs for teachers. In these sessions, we’ll dive deeper into the STEM Kits’ curriculum for your grades. All sessions will take place on Wednesday October 26th and Thursday October 27th. If you would like to participate but are not available on these dates, please email Julia Levine at julia@nysunworks.org to coordinate an additional session with one of our education specialists. Each grade level session will be offered twice, please click the links below to register. We look forward to seeing you there!
NY Sun Works GoFundMe Crowdfunding How-To Webinar
Please join NY Sun Works and our featured guest Lisa Cao of GoFundMe to learn the basics of Crowdfunding. Whether you are brand new to online fundraising or a veteran campaigner, you will learn strategies for using crowdfunding to raise money for your school projects. This event is open to everyone, regardless of if you have a hydroponic classroom or not.
Registration Closed
Returning Principal Curriculum & Harvest Professional Development
In this informational session for returning principals, our education team will review our comprehensive, standards-based, environmental science curriculum. We will also share about our most recent expansions and revisions to our K-5th, 6th-8th and High School curriculum in breakout rooms separated by grade level. Finally, you will be introduced to The Harvest Program, which engages students in harvests throughout the school year, bringing fresh produce and in-class learnings out into the students’ homes.
New Principal Curriculum & Harvest Professional Development
In this first informational session for our new partner principals excited to get started with their lab, our education team will review our comprehensive, standards-based, environmental science curriculum. We will also share details about recent expansions and revisions we’ve made to our K-5th, 6th-8th and High School curriculum in breakout rooms separated by grade level. Finally, you will be introduced to The Harvest Program, which engages students in harvests throughout the school year, bringing fresh produce and in-class learnings out into the students’ homes.
Visit the NY Sun Works Pop-Up @ Astor Place
20 Astor Pl
New York, NY 10003
Plan a visit to our pop-up urban farm classroom and explore how hydroponic farming is changing the way science is taught in NYC public schools. You will see how NY Sun Works brings hands-on science, sustainability, and climate education to K-12 students while growing fresh vegetables right in their own classroom farm.
You can email us at pop-up@nysunworks.org to schedule an appointment.
Calling All Teachers!
Connect with teachers from NY Sun Works partner schools, see the Pop-Up in action, and receive a special NY Sun Works gift as a thank you for all the amazing work you do.
Friday, October 15th:
3:30 – 5:30 or 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The events are the same – register for the time that’s best for you!
Light refreshments will be served.
Proof of vaccination and masks will be required for entry.
Join the NY Sun Works team for a special family event
Explore a model farm-classroom, learn about hydroponic farming, and build your very own hydroponic system! We hope you can join us for this special family event!
Saturday, October 16th:
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Social distancing measures will be in effect. Masks are required for all guests; proof of vaccination is required for ages 12 and up.
April 19, 2021: Sustainability, Science and Climate Education in the 21st Century
A workshop about hydroponics, renewable energy, and K-12 science and sustainability education in the 21st century.
Join the New York Power Authority’s Environmental Justice Department and New York Sun Works for a virtual Earth Day celebration!
The event will focus on hydroponics, renewable energy and K-12 science and sustainability education in the 21st century. We invite students, teachers and parents to participate in the event, and we will have a “hands-on” group activity led by one of our distinguished panelists.
We hope to see you from 6pm – 7pm EST on April 19th for an engaging sustainability conversation discussing topics and trends happening within New York City, the state and the world around you!
Panelists:
- Hannah Jaris – Director of Education Programs at NY Sun Works
- Lielle Berman – Sustainability Senior Project Coordinator at NYPA
- Debby Lee Cohen – Executive Director/ Founder of Cafeteria Culture
Learn more and register here.
NYCDOE Earth Week 2021, April 23
ENERGY with NY Sun Works | 1:00 – 2:30PM
Join NY Sun Works for a session to discuss and learn about the energy and resources used in our current food production system. The session will focus on the elaborate and often consumptive journey food makes to eventually end up onto our plates.
2021 Discovering Sustainability Science Youth Conference
2019 New York Sun Works Rooftop Party
2018 New York Sun Works Sunset BBQ and Lawn Party
2017 Learning Center Launch @ Project Farm House
2017 Spring Benefit Photo Album
