PS 377 Celebrates Earth Day with Harvest Celebration in New Green Classroom

For Immediate Release: 04/30/19
NY Sun Works Contact:  Sidsel Robards | (917) 251-3070 | srobards@nysunworks.org

Students, teachers and prominent community members came together today at PS377 in Bushwick to recognize Earth Day with a harvest celebration and cooking demonstration in the school’s new Greenhouse Classroom. The program is an initiative by school leadership, the office of the Brooklyn Borough President, New York Power Authority (NYPA) and NY Sun Works, a nonprofit organization which builds innovative science labs in urban schools.
 
The first-time event gave youngsters a chance to show off the kale, basil and other plants they are now growing in the indoor hydroponic (soil-less) farm. The resource is more than an urban farm: Students in grades three through five explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) topics while learning about the science of sustainability and how to grow food with cutting-edge technology. 
 
They also learn about contamination, pollution, biodiversity, and conservation while understanding how their actions have an impact on the environment. Prior to the event, the students participated in an interactive workshop by NYPA and NY Sun Works on energy and electricity.  
 
The initiative is part of NYPA’s Environmental Justice STEM program, which provides educational resources to students from underrepresented communities in close proximity to NYPA’s power assets statewide as part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s STEM learning initiative. The funding allowed for year-round collaboration in partnership with NY Sun Works, which provides weekly on-site mentoring and training for teachers, greenhouse supplies and community engagement support. 
 
“Green classrooms are a great way to spark an interest in students and help them learn about the wonders of energy and sustainability in fun and creative ways,” said Lisa Payne Wansley, NYPA’s vice president of Environmental Justice and Sustainability. “These youngsters are our future leaders and we want them to inspire them to act responsibly in caring for our environment as well as develop skills they can turn into careers.”
 
NY Sun Works directors Manuela Zamora and Sidsel Robards are also pleased with the success of the ongoing partnership.
 
“We are grateful for the New York Power Authority’s support for important STEM initiatives such as ours,” said Robards. “Through this program, the students of PS377 will learn about STEM, nutrition, and planetary health while growing food to feed their community.” 
 
NYPA support has been provided to six Brooklyn schools that have converted classrooms into dedicated science labs.

About PS377:

At PS 377, our mission is to empower all students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and compassionate leaders, who embrace cultural differences, encourage others to meet their potential and develop their own self-awareness. Through collaborative efforts of parents, the community, staff and students we will develop a culture of analytical thinking, social intelligence and a love of learning which will assist in creating future leaders who will make a difference in society.

About NY Sun Works:

NY Sun Works is a non-profit organization that builds innovative science labs in urban schools. Through their Greenhouse Project Initiative, they use hydroponic farming technology to educate students and teachers about the science of sustainability. They envision a generation of environmental innovators, empowered to create solutions to global resource challenges. With 93 Labs up and running and 36+ more in development, the org is well on their way of reaching their goal of building 100 labs by 2020.

About NYPA:
NYPA is the nation's largest state public power organization, through the operation of its 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.