Key Takeaways:
- NY Sun Works awarded a $500,000 grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
- The grant will support professional development for teachers in hydroponic farming and sustainability science.
- NY Sun Works joins a prestigious cohort of institutions sharing $7.1 million in total grants.
- The grant will expand curriculum content and adapt learning for special needs students.
- The three-year program will provide comprehensive training and mentoring for teachers in partner schools.
NY Sun Works, a leader in urban agriculture and sustainability science education, has been awarded a $500,000 professional development and agricultural literacy (PDAL) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This grant is part of a larger initiative totaling $7.1 million, distributed among 14 awardees, including NY Sun Works, to enhance agricultural education across the country.
Enhancing Teacher Training in Hydroponics and Sustainability
The grant will enable NY Sun Works to provide comprehensive curriculum and technical training to teachers in partner schools, focusing on hydroponic farming and sustainability science. Executive Director Manuela Zamora emphasized the significance of this support, stating, “We thank the USDA for recognizing our excellence in urban agriculture and sustainability science education and providing this transformative grant to bolster professional development for science teachers at new partner schools.”
Expanding Educational Content and Supporting Special Needs
With the support of the USDA grant, NY Sun Works will expand its professional learning content, adding new modules focused on classroom management practices in a hydroponic setting. Additionally, the grant will allow for the adaptation of the curriculum and classroom environments to better support students with high-level special needs. This initiative is designed to ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities, can engage with and benefit from the education provided.
A Comprehensive Professional Learning Program
NY Sun Works’ three-year professional learning program for teachers includes personalized curriculum and technical farming training, one-on-one mentoring, and group professional learning sessions. This “train the teacher” approach is delivered by a team of educators and hydroponic farming professionals, equipping teachers to confidently implement the curriculum and effectively use hydroponic systems as educational tools. This program aims to foster student interest in urban agriculture and foundational sciences, ultimately preparing them for careers in these fields.
Broader Impact of the PDAL Grant
The PDAL grant, part of the USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s Education and Workforce Development program, aims to train educators and school administrators in food and agricultural sciences. It also seeks to help them integrate these concepts into their classes, explore agricultural science career paths, and cultivate mentorships with leaders in the field. This initiative reflects a broader effort to enhance agricultural literacy and build a skilled workforce prepared to tackle the challenges of food security and climate change.
NY Sun Works Latest News
NY Sun Works Receives $100,000 EPA Grant (2024/07/19)
NY Sun Works, a nonprofit organization, has received a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support climate education programs in eight partner schools across Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. The grant aims to enhance students’ understanding of urban agriculture in sustainable communities and expand teachers’ knowledge of climate and environmental science. The program will benefit approximately 1,600 students, enabling them to grow vegetables and herbs year-round within their classrooms. Additionally, the initiative addresses food security by providing access to fresh, healthy produce for students and their families.
NY Sun Works Hosts 13th Annual Discovering Sustainability Science Youth Conference (2024/05/24)
NY Sun Works celebrated its 13th Annual Discovering Sustainability Science Youth Conference at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, bringing together 1,000 young people and educators. The event showcased the nonprofit’s commitment to climate education through hydroponic farming technology in New York City’s public schools. The day-long conference featured student presentations on their hydroponic farm lab experiments and findings, reflecting the hands-on learning experiences facilitated by NY Sun Works’ Hydroponic Classrooms. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a Career and College Networking event, fostering engagement and learning about sustainability and climate science.
Several prominent figures addressed the attendees, emphasizing the significance of youth involvement in sustainability. Notable speakers included NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora, Javits Center CEO Alan Steel, and Assistant Commissioner of NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Damali Wynter. Students also received messages of support from political leaders and the event showcased Javits Center’s commitment to sustainability with its 7-acre green roof, featuring a farm, orchard, and beehives.
Sponsors such as Con Edison, Bear Maple, New York Power Authority (NYPA), Clean Path NY, CVC Capital Partners, and EY supported the event. NY Sun Works aims to deliver inquiry-based K-12 science and sustainability education through urban farming, support high-quality science programs in schools, and expand access to fresh produce for students and their families.
Richmond Hill High School Unveils Innovative Hydroponic Classroom (2024/04/04)
Richmond Hill High School in Queens has launched a new hydroponic farm classroom, funded by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ discretionary capital funding, to enhance its sustainability science curriculum. At the ribbon-cutting event, NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. highlighted the educational and community benefits of the hydroponic lab, which integrates science with sustainability and agriculture. Council Member Lynn Schulman emphasized the importance of such initiatives in preparing students for future challenges. Principal Tarek Alamarie and Assistant Principal Danixa Rivera praised the collaborative efforts that brought the project to fruition. This initiative is part of a broader program to incorporate hydroponic farming and sustainability education across New York City schools, addressing climate change, food insecurity, and sustainable urban living.
PS 147 Commemorates 10 Years (2024/03/15)
PS 147 in Brooklyn celebrated the 10th anniversary of its hydroponic farming program with a newly renovated classroom. The program empowers students to explore STEM fields and find solutions to climate challenges. With over 146 partner schools in Brooklyn alone, NY Sun Works continues to expand its influence with plans to install 26 labs in new partner schools this school year. The hydroponic farm classrooms offer a model for sustainable learning and increase access to fresh produce for students and their families.
NY Sun Works Launches New Hydroponic Farm Classroom at PS 23 in Brooklyn (2024/01/26)
NY Sun Works has opened a hydroponic farm classroom at PS 23, The Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in Brooklyn. The lab is part of a $500,000 grant-funded project to enhance STEAM education in public schools. NY Sun Works aims to provide hydroponics technology for young learners and encourage STEM engagement. PS 23 is among 12 public schools in Brooklyn that have implemented hydroponic farming classrooms. NY Sun Works partners with 146 schools in Brooklyn and plans to install 26 more labs this school year. Hydroponic farming is at the heart of NY Sun Works’ approach, providing an immersive learning experience for students in urban farming and sustainability.
Launches Advanced Urban Farm Classroom in Queens (2023/11/03)
NY Sun Works has unveiled a new greenhouse and hydroponic farm classroom at Village Academy in Far Rockaway, Queens. The facility features aquaponic and hydroponic technologies to enhance the school’s sustainability science curriculum. The initiative aims to empower students with quality climate education and provide access to fresh food. Village Academy joins 66 funded partner schools in Queens, reflecting a commitment to expanding climate education and addressing food insecurity. The program includes professional development for educators and support from hydroponic specialists.
NY Sun Works Awarded Climate Grant from CIV:LAB to Expand (2023/11/01)
NY Sun Works, a non-profit organization focused on climate education and sustainability, announced that it has received its first climate grant from CIV:LAB. The grant aims to support the organization’s existing climate education and sustainability programs in partner schools across New York City’s boroughs. It will also facilitate the expansion of NY Sun Works’ urban agriculture workforce development program at two high schools.
NY Sun Works Advocates for Climate Education and Urban Agriculture in NYC Schools (2023/09/19)
On the opening day of Climate Week NYC, Manuela Zamora, the Executive Director of NY Sun Works, issued a statement highlighting the critical role of climate education and urban agriculture in public schools. The statement comes as environmentalists, educators, and leaders worldwide gather in New York City to discuss solutions to the climate crisis.
New Leadership and Specialists at New York Sun Works (2023/08/23)
New York Sun Works has made two significant announcements that underscore its commitment to fostering curiosity, knowledge, and community involvement. The nonprofit organization, renowned for its innovative hydroponic farming labs in schools, appointed Liz McKoy as the Education Director and welcomed a team of 11 hydroponic specialists. This strategic expansion signifies the organization’s continued dedication to enhancing science education and sustainable practices for the next generation.
Image provided by New York Sun Works
