Youth Conference
On April 30th, we held our BIGGEST ever Youth Conference at the Javits Center, welcoming 1,200 students from 57 schools across New York and New Jersey to experience the latest discoveries in sustainability science.
Our presenters enlightened us on so many fascinating developments in our sector, from asking what can AI offer in helping us monitor our crops, to investigating if cotton could one day replace rockwool, to how different genres of music can inspire different rates of growth. Our students became our teachers and we are so grateful for that.
Below we have put together videos of ALL presentations during the event. We encourage you to make the most of the students’ work through posting these widely on social media and in newsletters. Parents LOVE to see their children in action up on the stage!
SESSION 1- GROW: STUDENTS AS FARMER SCIENTISTS RUNNING INVESTIGATIONS IN THEIR HYDROPONIC CLASSROOMS
Opening remarks by Joyce Leveston, CEO of New York Convention Center Operating Corporation
Flowers in a Calming Corner: PS 142 Amalia Castro
Are Microplastics in Your Soil?: Saint Saviour High School
Inside or Out? Which One is Better?: PS 281 The River School
Agrihealth Urban Farming Assistant: Sara M. Gilmore Academy
Hydroponic Greenspace: PS 152 Dyckman Valley
Can a Loofah be Used as a Growing Substrate?: PS 34 Oliver H. Perry
SESSION II – INNOVATE: STUDENTS AS INNOVATORS CREATING THEIR OWN HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS AND DESIGNING SOLUTIONS TO CURRENT CLIMATE CHALLENGES
Guest Speaker: Kara Meyer, Managing Director at +POOL
Can Cotton Replace Rockwool?: PS 176 Ovington
The Benefits of Hydroponic Farming in Today’s Society: Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College
How Does the Age of Swiss Chard Plants Affect Their Salt Tolerance?: The Harbor Middle School
Finding the Optimal Growth Environment: PS 214 Michael Friedsam
Musical Plants & The Great Grow-Off: Robert E. Bell Middle School
An Investigation to Determine Water Quality in Different Locations: IS 68
SESSION III – ACT: STUDENTS AS GLOBAL CITIZENS ENGAGING IN COMMUNITY EVENTS AND EXPANDING THE LEARNING BEYOND THEIR HYDROPONIC CLASSROOMS
Fluorescent vs. LED Lights: Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School
Tea Hydration Experiment: JHS 050 John D. Wells
Fresh, Flavorful, Local: Starting a School Farmer’s Market: Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies
Can Plants Help Combat Climate Change?: PS 150Q The Sunnyside School
The Effect of Salt and Food Coloring on Plant Growth: PS 181 John L. Steptoe
Microplastics – The Invisible Threat: PS 84 Jose de Diego
The Tale of Sunflowers: Brooklyn Community High School for Excellence and Equity
POSTER PRESENTATIONS:
Indoor Air Quality Testing: Careers in Sports High School
Reusable Water Bottle Hydroponic Planters: PS 145 Magnet School of Leadership Through Engineering
The Antibacterial Properties of Prairie Sage and White Sage Extracts: Jose Marti STEM Academy
Sustainable Solutions to Cafeteria Food Waste: Juan Morel Campos Secondary School
Matcha Meets Wheatgrass and Basil: Saint Saviour High School
The Benefits of Vitamin Enriched Soil: Saint Saviour High School
To see each group’s presentation at the 2026 Conference, click here.
To watch the full Conference recording, click here.
Past Youth Conferences: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019
2012-2018 Youth Conference presentations available on YouTube