US (NY): Bronx hydroponic classroom named after trailblazing botanist Marie Clark Taylor

NY Sun Works gathered with Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, school leaders, teachers, parents and students at KAPPA MS 215 in the Bronx on April 28 for the ribbon cutting ceremony of a new hydroponic classroom designed to foster a love of science, nature and gardening among students.

The school chose to dedicate the classroom to the memory of Marie Clark Taylor (1911-1990), the first African-American woman to gain a PhD in Botany and who went on to become the Head of the Botany Department at Howard University.

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e new Hydroponic Classroom features a number of different systems meant for growing specific plants, with long tray based systems for lettuce, basil and herbs, and Vine Crop Systems for climbing vegetables and fruits like tomatoes and cucumbers.

"KAPPA's new Hydroponic Classroom empowers our scholars with sustainable food solutions, hands-on learning, and a vision for a greener, healthier future grown right here at our school," said KAPPA's Principal Dr. Sheri Warren. "This is especially important since our school is situated in and our students reside in a food desert. We are extremely grateful to Bronx Borough Vanessa L. Gibson for providing the funding for the Dr. Marie Clark Taylor Hydroponic Lab and to NYSunworks for their vision, guidance and support."

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Teachers see the systems and associated sustainability science curricula as a softer way to ease students into often challenging STEM topics. At KAPPA, teachers also spoke specifically about using Hydroponics to teach their students to be more conscious of where their food comes from and especially to direct them towards fresh produce as an alternative to processed foods.

"Today's ribbon cutting isn't just about opening a new lab — it's about planting seeds for the future. By investing in hydroponics at KAPPA X215, we're giving our scholars hands-on tools to explore science, sustainability, and innovation," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "I'm proud to support programs that grow minds and opportunities right here in our borough."

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"At NY Sun Works, we are committed to ensuring that every public school child in New York City, no matter where they were born or where they go to school, receives a high-quality science education," said NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora. "We are grateful to Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson for supporting this new Hydroponic Classroom at KAPPA. Such support ensures these students can experience the benefits of the hands-on learning approaches which make science accessible, regardless of a student's learning style."