NY Sun Works opened a newly renovated hydroponic farm classroom at PS 147 in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The school community was joined by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez and Executive Director of NYC Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture Qiana Mickie to celebrate the joyous event which also marked the school's 10th anniversary of providing hands-on urban farming and climate education.
"Today we celebrate 10 years of a partnership and collaboration with PS 147 – one of the first NYC schools to provide climate education and sustainability science curriculum through hydroponic technology. We are excited to continue growing this partnership now reaching even more students through this program expansion," said NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora. "Our hydroponic classrooms and curriculum strive to encourage students to explore opportunities and experiences in STEM. We are committed to empowering a new generation of scientists, climate advocates and community leaders to create solutions to local and global climate challenges."
"It is my honor and privilege to serve as a partner school and encourage increased awareness in the science community beginning with our youngest learners. In our 10-year partnership with NY Sun Works, as Principal, it is our collective responsibility to help steward and cultivate the significance of STEM fields by leveraging powerful early learning experiences aimed at solving complex, global climatic challenges," said PS 147 Principal Sandra Noyola.
A speech by Manuela Zamora (Photo credits: NY Sun Works)
"As students engage in hands-on, meaningful learning through the hydroponic lab's engaging climate and sustainability educational curricula, we create an equitable pathway that will help students learn ways to combat climate challenges, foster green skills and influence students' interests later in life. Together, we empower our youngest learners to be agents of change in a warming world that demands innovative outside-the-box thinking and problem-solving. Thank you NY Sun Works, elected officials, community partners, teachers and parent leaders for creating the conditions and spaces that will continue to inspire as well as empower our students to lead the way in an ever-changing world."
"PS 147 is leading our students into the future every day, and today's grand opening of the hydroponic lab is a perfect example of their commitment to our children," said Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez (D-34). "Schools know that to prepare our the next generation for tomorrow, curricula must include STEAM and adapting to climate change, which includes learning how to sustainably grow our own food. PS 147 is an incredible community that gives so much to our children and families, and I'm thrilled to support NY Sunworks and this amazing resource for everyone to thrive."
"I am so happy to be in Bushwick to celebrate the partnership between PS 147 and NY Sun Works," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "Over the past 10 years, a collaboration between PS 147 and NY Sun Works has brought students a significant understanding of the natural world and a keen awareness of the environmental issues impacting our globe. To mount a successful fight against climate change, we need young people involved, and I am confident that through this continued partnership and a newly renovated hydroponic farm classroom, even more students will be empowered to make meaningful change in our world."
In Brooklyn, NY Sun Works has 146 partner schools, with another 26 labs at new partner schools to be installed this school year. The nonprofit opened its first lab in 2010 and has grown today to serve more than 120,000 students across 300 public schools in the New York City metro area. 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 preparing students to exceed NYC's science standards. Hydroponic technology is 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 like PS 147 will continue to receive professional development training for science educators and weekly visits from a hydroponic specialist to guide teachers in hydroponic systems maintenance, provide planting, harvest, and produce distribution support; and clean, prep, and troubleshoot systems.
For more information:
NY Sun Works
+1 212 757 7560
info@nysunworks.org
https://nysunworks.org