NY Sun Works gathered with elected officials, school leaders, teachers, parents and students at PS 144Q Col. Jeromus Remsen Elementary School in Forest Hills for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Hydroponic Classroom designed to foster a love of science, nature and gardening among students.
Vines of hefty green leaves hang in the air, hiding a rich harvest of cucumbers underneath. The only sounds are the ethereal hum of LED panels and the light trickle of running water. A group of students hover around the hydroponic systems on display, examining each plant's growth before selecting and cutting the ripest cucumbers to eat and share with teachers. The cucumbers are also excellent, far superior to anything the children say they have sampled from local grocery stores.
The nexus of benefits from these classrooms is clear; they bring access to fresh food, draw students more deeply into their STEM curricula and build an awareness of the connections between farming and climate change.
"As Chair of the City Council's Health Committee, I am committed to ensuring our students have access to hands-on, innovative learning opportunities that promote sustainability and healthy living," said Council Member Lynn Schulman. "This new hydroponics lab at PS 144, made possible through our partnership with NY Sun Works, will inspire young minds to explore science, nutrition, and environmental stewardship. I am proud to have funded this initiative and look forward to seeing the impact it will have on our future leaders.
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