2023 Conference

Our 12th Annual Discovering Sustainability Science Youth Conference is back in-person this year on May 24th at the Javits Center!

The Youth Conference is an annual celebration of science where students at NY Sun Works partner schools come together to share the work they’ve been doing in their hydroponic classrooms. Students will present their successes to fellow Farmer Scientists in grades K-12. In addition to the student speakers, you can also expect to hear from experts and innovators in fields related to sustainability, hydroponics, and urban agriculture! 

This year, we’re welcoming over 900 registered student attendees from across NYC at the Javits Center, an iconic NYC institution with a unique twist on integrating sustainability into its urban footprint. With 6.75 acres of green space on their Hell’s Kitchen rooftop, they seasonally welcome both migratory and local wildlife, ranging from birds, to bats, and even insects! They also support a 1-acre rooftop farm, which produces up to 50 crops per growing season, and five honeybee hives which can even be monitored through their live bee cam!

In addition to students, guests from STEM and urban farming fields will join us for this exciting occasion, sharing their insights and wisdom with our eager farmer-scientist community. Speakers will include Javits Center President and CEO Alan Steel, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Director of Diversity in Career Pathways Jerri Taylor, NY Power Authority’s Environmental Justice Vice President Kaela Mainsah, Gotham Greens co-founder & urban farming entrepreneur Viraj Puri, and Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture Qiana Mickie!

Stay tuned for more information on these speakers, and more!

NY Sun Works Attending Partner Teacher Forms and Information:

• Location: Javits Center (*exact address will be provided to attendees).
• Timing: Conference will run from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm. Lunch and farm tours to follow 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm (optional). Conference doors will open at 9:00 am.

• NYC DOE Consent Form
• NY Sun Works Consent Form
• Student Presentation Guide
• Youth Press Team Guide

*All presentation materials and consent forms must be submitted by email to Becky by Friday, May 12th.

Registration has now closed due to significant school interest in presenting and attending the Youth Conference. To be added to the waitlist please email Becky and she will be in touch with you if spots open up. The full Conference recording will be shared following the event for all to see! Thank you!