NY SUN WORKS RECEIVES $26,000 GRANT FROM THE AMAZIN’ METS FOUNDATION
December 3, 2024
Grant to provide state-of-the-art hydroponic technology and STEM+ curriculum to over 1,000 K-12 public school students in Queens.
QUEENS, NY – NY Sun Works, a New York-based nonprofit that delivers science and sustainability education through urban farming to K-12 students, today announced a $26,000 grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. The grant will provide high-quality climate and environmental science education through hydroponic farming at International High School at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City and PS 223 Lyndon B. Johnson in Jamaica, Queens.
NY Sun Works brings hydroponic farming technology and a comprehensive STEM +
sustainability curriculum to public schools to engage students in a hands-on exploration of
climate, environmental, and mandated science content through the lens of urban farming.
With a focus on reaching students in disadvantaged communities, the program addresses the
need for solution-oriented climate education and the issue of historic underinvestment in
STEM education in low-income and minority neighborhoods. Both schools supported by the
grant serve low-income populations (91% poverty rate) and are located in federally
designated disadvantaged communities.
“We are thrilled to be the recipient of a grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation to expand
our efforts to bring climate and sustainability education to public schools in under-resourced
communities in Queens,” said Manuela Zamora, NY Sun Works Executive Director. “Our
hands-on sustainability science curriculum and state-of-the-art Hydroponic Classrooms give
students the opportunity to experience science through a different lens – one that empowers
them to be part of the solution to global environmental challenges and supports access to
healthy food for their families and school community.”
“The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is committed to opening doors for New Yorkers,” said Alex
Cohen, Owner of the New York Mets and President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation.
“We are proud to support innovative environmental science programs and the next generation
of STEM leaders in our Queens community.” The grant will provide resources to maintain hydroponic farming technology, purchase farming supplies for the classroom, and train and mentor science educators on implementing an innovative curriculum that uses the hydroponics systems as instructional tools.
During weekly instruction in their Hydroponic Classroom, students will explore science and
sustainability topics; participate in seed-to-harvest hydroponic farming; and share the produce
grown with their families and school communities.
NY Sun Works delivers inquiry-based K-12 science and sustainability education through
urban farming, while covering the Common Core, Scope and Sequence, and EfS science
standards. Hydroponic technology is indoor vertical farming that enables the cultivation of
plants in an indoor environment. Rather than from the sun, plants receive energy from LED
lighting that is tailored specifically to the energy needs of the plants. Instead of using soil,
seeds are planted in soil-free growth mediums.
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the New York Mets. The
Foundation is committed to providing needed services and opportunities to children, families,
and underserved groups. Since its inception in 2021, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation has
awarded over $13 million in grants to more than 180 organizations in its community,
including the communities surrounding affiliate teams.
