NY Sun Works is a non-profit organization that builds innovative science labs in urban schools.
Through our Greenhouse Project Initiative we use hydroponic farming technology to educate students and teachers about the science of sustainability.
From their website
Excerpt:
Underscored by an urgent need to reimagine education in the wake of a global pandemic that forced teachers around the world to bring learning beyond their classrooms, our goal at this think-tank was to share the lessons we’ve learned from over 13 years of partnering with schools and teachers. With learning loss impacting students across ages and grade bands, the need for an authentic, relevant, and meaningful school experience is present now more than ever, and our Hydroponic Classrooms have proven effective at offering just that. Over 90% of NY Sun Works partner teachers surveyed shared that students in their classrooms are interested in and eager to engage with core sustainability science concepts. By offering students the chance to get their hands dirty, learn by doing, ask questions, and discover their own answers, we’ve been consistently able to re-engage those who otherwise may have academically struggled.
One of the unique strengths that has helped shepherd our success is the adaptability of our program to the diverse landscape of New York City schools. With more than 300 school partners across all five boroughs as well as metro NJ, we’ve been able to reach and support learning communities of all shapes and sizes. With NYC, NY State, and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in mind, our curriculum is designed to meet students where they are and empower them to connect with the climate in a way that best suits their learning styles. By cultivating plants of their own, students are encouraged to emotionally invest in their school experience as they nurture their very own living things. Not only do students grow their own crops, but they also reap the benefits of their work through in-school harvests that invite parents and other community members to join in, creating a full cycle of learning and reciprocity.
