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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 2024-2025 school year (they will be available for delivery starting in Fall 2024), 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!
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 | 3PM-4PM | Register Here
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 | 12PM-1PM | Register Here
Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 | 12PM-1PM | Register Here
Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025 | 3:30PM-4:30PM | Register Here
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NY Sun Works Partnership Info Sessions
Are you interested in bringing a NY Sun Works Hydroponic 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, Dec. 18, 2024 | 3-4 pm | Register Here
Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 | 10-11 am | Register Here
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 | 3-4 pm | Register Here
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 | 3-4 pm | Bronx Schools | Register Here
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 | 10-11 am | Register Here
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Vertical Farm Daily: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Partners with NY Sun Works to Bring Climate Education to Coney Island Schools
Brooklyn students at select schools will be seeing a lot more green on their campuses, as one congressman joined kids at a Coney Island school to present funds for teaching students about urban farming and planting. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries was at Rachel Carson High School to present $500,000 in federal money to New York Sun Works, the organization providing the hydroponic farms to the schools.
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PIX 11: US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona Visits NY Sun Works Hydroponic Classroom, Sees Opportunities for Students
US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made the rounds in New York City on Tuesday, touting investments for teachers and students, as schools get ready for the upcoming academic year. He toured schools in Queens and Brooklyn alongside Congress members Grace Meng and Nydia Velazquez.
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BK Reader: Brooklyn and Queens Schools Get STEM and Sustainability Curriculum Thanks to Rep. Nydia Velázquez
Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez recently presented a check worth $800,000 in funding to NY Sun Works — a New York-based nonprofit that delivers science and sustainability education through urban farming to K-12 students — to provide schools in Brooklyn and Queens with hydroponic farm technology to enhance each school’s science curriculum.
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NY SUN WORKS RECEIVES $26,000 GRANT FROM THE AMAZIN’ METS FOUNDATION
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.
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VOA: New York City Children Learn Gardening to Build Healthier Habits
In New York City, where some communities have limited access to fresh produce, a unique classroom program is teaching students how to grow their own food and improve their eating habits. Aron Ranen has more on how gardening is shaping healthier futures for kids.
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NY SUN WORKS AND NY HALL OF SCIENCE WELCOME LOCAL PRE-K STUDENTS TO FIRST HARVEST FROM HYDROPONIC GARDEN EXHIBIT
Young Students from the Mosaic School (Q369) harvested and took home fresh produce from the hydroponic systems.
CORONA, NY – The New York Hall of Science and NY Sun Works welcomed dozens of Pre-K students from nearby Mosaic School in Corona this morning to be the first to harvest produce grown in the newly installed hydroponic garden.
These students were guided by instructors from New York Sun Works, which designed and installed the exhibit, on the basics of hydroponics, how a plant grows, and how to harvest the basil plants in the unique hydroponic systems that make up the exhibit. At the end of the lesson, students were invited to take the harvested basil home to their families.
The hydroponic lab at the Hall of Science is one of over 350 citywide and 70 in Queens that NY Sun Works has installed and supports in public schools. These labs are coupled with standards aligned, grade-specific, year-round sustainability science curriculum and teacher training. Together, they are designed to empower and inspire the next generation of scientists, biologists, agriculturalists, agronomists, activists, and community leaders who will create solutions to local and global climate challenges.
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.
“Watching these young people in action, picking living plants and learning about seed to harvest cycles of growing, is exactly the sort of exciting and innovative learning experiences we are known for,” said President and CEO of the New York Hall of Science Lisa Gugenheim. “We are just thrilled with the ongoing partnership with NY Sun Works, who are leading the way in hands-on sustainability science education in New York City, and supporting our mission of Design, Make, Play. We look forward to many more bountiful harvests to come.”
The NY Sun Works hydroponic garden at the Hall of Science is a living exhibit, teaching NYSCI visitors of all ages about the science of sustainability. It was unveiled last month during climate week, along with a new $2.3M commitment from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards to fund similar hydroponic systems in science classrooms Queenswide.
“This hydroponic lab at the New York Hall of Science is our first and only lab that is also a living exhibition, open to the public and the many students and teachers who visit the museum each day,” said NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora. “The day of harvest is an especially exciting one for our young learners. On that day, the unique way that the hydroponic systems support the growing cycle is finally revealed in a ready to pick plant. Watching students make those new connections while experiencing the taste and smell of fresh basil, perhaps for the first time, is truly where the joy of learning meets the science of sustainability. We thank NYSCI for their excellent partnership.”
The next harvest of the garden is expected to be in 4-6 weeks.
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GLASE Launches E-GROW Certification to Cultivate Youth Interest in AgTech and Controlled Environment Agriculture
Ithaca, NY October 23, 2024 — Cornell University’s Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) consortium is thrilled to announce the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is investing in a GLASE workforce development initiative.
The Empowering Greenhouse Resiliency with an Optimized Workforce (E-GROW) project is designed to inspire and develop youth competency in agricultural technology (AgTech) and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). In partnership with seven project collaborators and ten middle and high schools across four U.S. states, E-GROW will launch a certificate program, preparing the next generation for careers in the rapidly evolving field of CEA.
“Young people are a solution to the greenhouse industry’s labor challenges. CEA offers a vehicle for STEM education and presents an interesting career opportunity for youth to envision for themselves. GLASE is expanding our credible education and training model to serve learners entering the workforce development pipeline.” shared Gretchen Schimelpfenig, Executive Director of GLASE.
The project will bridge the gap between technology and agriculture, specifically focusing on automation in greenhouse climate control, robotics and AI for crop science, and energy and economic benchmarking of vertical farms. Through innovative, non-formal educational modules and experiential learning, E-GROW seeks to attract tech-savvy STEM students and foster a deeper understanding of AgTech in food production.
“Today’s youth are the scientists, innovators, farmers, and decision-makers of tomorrow; it is imperative we provide educational opportunities that advance students’ understanding of technologies, including in agriculture, that will create a more sustainable and resilient future,” said Manuela Zamora, Executive Director of NY Sun Works. “NY Sun Works is thrilled to collaborate with GLASE and partners on this initiative, which will enable youth, and in particular students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM, to build skills and prepare for careers in the growing field of controlled environment agriculture.”
Piloting the Future Workforce: Starting in ten schools across New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wyoming, E-GROW will reach between 500 and 1,000 students throughout the project. The program places a particular emphasis on engaging student populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields, including rural youth, low-income students, young women, ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
Dr. Neil Mattson, Professor at Cornell University, adds, “GLASE and Cornell University are pleased to lead this interdisciplinary project to engage and develop the next generation of agriculture technology leaders. Whether or not a student ultimately pursues a career in CEA, we believe this project can be a useful springboard for getting students engaged in plant science, engineering, and computer science. We are also pleased with the school and academic partnerships this project brings together in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wyoming.”
“Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) is proud to be a partner in helping prepare today’s students to be the agricultural leaders of tomorrow,” said Crystal Huff, Director of AgWorks at CCA, a K through 12 public cyber charter school serving more than 30,000 students and their families throughout Pennsylvania. “CCA is committed to ensuring that the 21st-century workforce has the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the growing needs and demands of our evolving agriculture industry. We must stay ahead of the curve and ensure students are well-prepared for the future economy.”
As part of the pilot, students will work toward earning a CEA certificate, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to enter the growing AgTech industry. A robust mentoring network of industry professionals and academic experts will guide students through the program, providing hands-on learning opportunities and career insights.
“CEA training pathways for middle and high school students are a crucial component of the workforce training pipeline for the growing CEA industry,” said Dr. Kaylee South, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech. “We are excited to work with the E-GROW project partners to develop and implement these pathways with an emphasis on engaging populations underrepresented in STEM fields. These educational tools will be key to provide knowledge and skills related to CEA and general exposure to agricultural technology.”
Collaborative Effort to Drive Innovation: Funded by the Food and Agriculture Non-formal Education (FANE) program, E-GROW brings together partners from higher education and youth development sectors to create a multi-faceted learning experience. The project will leverage existing research on CEA and AgTech to identify gaps in workforce development and education, tailoring learning materials to address these needs.
“The University of Wyoming is thrilled to be part of this impactful project, inspiring future generations with modern indoor agriculture technologies. Forming strong partnerships and creating shared learning experiences with the K-12 education community are key to promoting the growth of CEA in Wyoming and across the nation, leading to economic opportunities, jobs, and more local food production,” said Dr. Liping Wang and Dr. Anthony Denzer from the University of Wyoming.
Ian Kanski, Director of the Center for Agricultural Research at the University of Harrisburg adds “CEA provides a unique ‘living laboratory’ for learners to experience and apply a broad set of science and technology disciplines, developing skills and interest in some the most important technical fields for the coming economy. The E-GROW project led by Cornell is exactly the sort of multi-state and multi-institutional collaboration that’s needed as our education sector adapts to a changing food and agriculture landscape — and the Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability is proud to be a contributor.”
Students will engage in capstone projects, demonstrating their competencies and showcasing how AgTech can improve food production and support local economies. These projects, along with outreach materials, will help build public confidence in CEA and AgTech by illustrating the tangible benefits of technology-driven food systems.
David Ceaser, Lead Agronomist at Agritecture, commented, “Agritecture is extremely pleased to be a part of the E-grow project. Agriculture faces an aging-out problem worldwide, and we believe that engaging youth in CEA and technology-based agriculture is key to ensuring future generations of farmers.”
Aiming for Long-Term Impact: The E-GROW initiative is designed with sustainability in mind. Over four years, project partners will develop and refine a scalable educational model that can be replicated across other schools and states. Feedback from pilot schools will help to ensure that the program meets accreditation standards and can grow into a national CEA workforce credentialing program.
For more information on the E-GROW project, please contact GLASE Extension Support Specialist, Matthew Del Buono at mjd378@cornell.edu and follow GLASE on LinkedIn.
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NYN Media: NY Sun Works celebrates 20 years of climate education and hydroponic farming
This year marks a big milestone for the science education program NY Sun Works, which was founded 20 years ago as a floating urban farm in the Hudson River. The program has since evolved into hydroponic farms in classrooms in more than 300 New York public schools, and its success has caught the attention of education leaders and environmentalists around the world.
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NY SUN WORKS JOINS QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT AND NY HALL OF SCIENCE TO ANNOUNCE HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP
The $2.3Million Investment will Reach Thousands of Queens Families.
The Announcement Marked the Culmination of Climate Week and Included the Unveiling of a Prototypical Hydroponic Classroom which Will be Available to All Patrons
CORONA, NY – NY Sun Works in partnership with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced a $2.3 million historic investment to bring climate science education and climate justice to dozens of Queens school communities. The announcement was made at the second annual Queens Climate Expo at the New York Hall of Science, where New York Hall of Science also unveiled a new hydroponic exhibit showing the environmental benefits of growing food hydroponically, established in partnership with NY Sun Works and the Queens Borough President’s Office.
The new funding is slated to reach more than 20,000 K-12 students across the borough through the building of NY Sun Works’ Hydroponic Classrooms. NY Sun Works labs, coupled with sustainability science curriculum, empowers and inspires the next generation of scientists, biologists, agriculturalists, agronomists, activists, and community leaders that will create solutions to local and global resource challenges. Hosted at New York City’s premier science institution New York Hall of Science, the announcement was made during the Climate Week Expo, which also celebrated the opening of a new hydroponic exhibit and garden which will be available for all patrons who visit.
“We are honored to partner with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, a steadfast champion of climate justice, to build new opportunities for climate science and sustainability education in Queens, one of New York’s most diverse boroughs,” said NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora. “It is crucial to provide equity and access to quality science education, and this special expansion in Queens schools is part of our efforts to prepare the next generation to create solutions to the global climate crisis. Our goal is to bring every single New York City public school student access to climate science education through hydroponic technology and this historic investment brings us closer to achieving just that.
“Every New York City public school should have a hydroponics lab. I’m proud to have allocated more than $5 million across two dozen schools since taking office in service of that mission, and I’m honored to partner with NY Sun Works on bringing climate science education and climate justice to thousands of students,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Our students deserve to have a modern and well-rounded education, and what better way to do that than by showing them how to grow their own food and encouraging them to find more sustainable solutions for our future.”
“Thank you to NY Sun Works and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for their invaluable support in bringing this innovative hydroponics exhibit to life at NYSCI and schools across the borough. Your dedication to sustainability and education is helping to inspire a new generation to embrace green technologies and urban farming,” said President and CEO of the New York Hall of Science Lisa Gugenheim. The hands-on nature of hydroponics perfectly aligns with NYSCI’s mission of Design, Make, Play, encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and exploration through interactive learning. We are grateful for your partnership in making this transformative project possible for our community and institution.”
These new NY Sun Works partner schools, will join more than 70 funded partner schools in Queens. NY Sun Works delivers inquiry-based K-12 science and sustainability education through the lens of urban farming. The goals are to support each school’s long-term capacity to deliver a high-quality science program; optimize students’ learning experience in the Hydroponic Classroom; and expand access to fresh produce for students and their families, 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.
Partner schools will receive ongoing resources and services to ensure the program and technology are running seamlessly. NY Sun Works provides professional development training for science educators in addition to weekly visits from a hydroponic specialist to guide teachers in hydroponic systems maintenance.
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September 28th, 2024: NYSci Exhibition
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35 NEW HYDROPONIC CLASSROOMS OPEN ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IN NYC
NEW YORK, NY – NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora congratulates the city’s school children returning to class today and announced the opening of 35 new hydroponic labs, bringing the total number of NYC public schools equipped with NY Sun Works Hydroponic Classrooms to 350 and students reached to over 130,000.
“Today, we wish every student a successful academic year. At NY Sun Works, we are especially proud that more students will return to schools equipped with a NY Sun Works Hydroponic Classroom. Thirty-five new labs are opening today across the five boroughs, providing K-12 students hands-on learning through urban farming. We are also proud to serve more special education students and English Language Learners this school year. Our commitment to inclusivity is unwavering, which is why we are bringing our innovative technology and curriculum to students of diverse backgrounds.”
“A sustainable future begins in the classroom. Together with our NYC public school partners, we are cultivating the next generation of scientists empowered to create solutions to global climate challenges. We wish everyone a fantastic school year filled with curiosity and discovery!”
Below is a list of all 35 schools where labs will open this fall:
Hunter College Elementary School
K068 IS68 Isaac Bildersee
K090 PS 90 Edna Cohen School
K097 PS 97 The Highlawn
K114 PS 114 Ryder Elementary
K122 Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-Tech)
K131 PS 131 Brooklyn
K153 PS 153 Homecrest
K199 PS 199 Frederick Wachtel
K249 PS 249 The Caton
K285 IS 285 Meyer Levin
K369 PS K369 – Coy L. Cox School
K401 Christopher Avenue Community School
K594 Gotham Professional Arts Academy
K654 Van Siclen Community Middle School
M475 Stuyvesant High School
Q071 PS 071 Forest
Q078 PS/IS 78Q
Q131 PS 131 Abigail Adams
Q144 PS 144 Col Jeromus Remsen
Q400 August Martin High School
Q585 Maspeth High School
R721 The Richard H Hungerford School
The Ascension School
The Birch Wathen Lenox School
X009 PS 9 Ryer Avenue Elementary
X032 The Belmont School
X110 PS 110 Theodore Schoenfeld
X228 Jonas Bronck Academy
X231 Eagle Academy for Young Men
X277 PS 277
X439 Bronx High School for Law and Community Service
X469@X855 Bronx School for Continuous Learners
X670 Health Opportunities High School
X811 PS X811
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Professional Development Sessions
Are you a K-12 teacher at a NY Sun Works partner school interested in professional development and training? Do you have one hour on a Wednesday afternoon to get comfortable with our innovative online Learning Center and teaching materials?
To support education staff in the back-to-school season, NY Sun Works is offering Professional Development Sessions. Below you will find a short summary of the session, along with links that allow you to sign up for whichever timing best suits your schedule.
Who is this session for? Any K-12+ teacher currently working within a NY Sun Works partner school.
What will I learn at this session? Participants will receive an overview of our Learning Center and develop an understanding of how to navigate the system, access and modify the curriculum, and schedule the necessary trainings to get the year off to a strong start!
We will also review the curriculum, clarify the scheduling of teacher training and provide updates on both the curriculum and new content within the Learning Center.
Participants are encouraged to ask questions and pick the brains of our trainers.
Who is delivering this session? NY Sun Works’ Education Team will oversee the sessions.
When are these sessions being held?
Wednesday, September 4th, | 3pm | Register Here
Wednesday, September 25th, | 3pm | Register Here
How do I access these sessions? Sessions are all held virtually on Zoom. Just click on one of the links above to register.
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Horti Daily: NY Sun Works receives $500k USDA grant to provide teachers in partner schools
NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora announced a $500,000 professional development and agricultural literacy grant (PDAL) from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA) to provide teachers in partner schools with comprehensive curriculum and technical training in hydroponic farming and sustainability science.