Key Takeaways
- NY Sun Works opened a new hydroponic classroom at KAPPA MS 215 in the Bronx, supported by Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.
- The lab is named in honor of Dr. Marie Clark Taylor, the first African-American woman to earn a PhD in Botany.
- The classroom features systems for growing herbs, leafy greens, and vine crops like tomatoes and cucumbers.
- The initiative is part of NY Sun Works’ broader effort to bring urban farming science education to NYC public schools.
- KAPPA teachers plan to integrate the lab into sustainability and STEM curricula, addressing food equity in the Bronx.
NY Sun Works Opens Hydroponic Lab at KAPPA MS 215 in the Bronx
NY Sun Works, in collaboration with Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, officially launched a new Hydroponic Classroom at KAPPA MS 215 yesterday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials, educators, students, and parents.
The lab was created to provide hands-on, sustainability-focused science education to students in the Bronx, a borough where many neighborhoods are classified as food deserts. The facility was funded by the borough president’s office and is designed to enhance both science learning and access to fresh produce.
Honoring a Trailblazer in Science
The new facility is named the Dr. Marie Clark Taylor Hydroponic Lab, in honor of the first African-American woman to earn a PhD in Botany. Dr. Taylor later became the Head of the Botany Department at Howard University, and her legacy was recognized as a symbol of inspiration for young learners in the Bronx.
Classroom Features and Educational Impact
The hydroponic lab is equipped with tray-based systems for growing lettuce, basil, and other herbs, as well as vine crop systems for cultivating tomatoes and cucumbers. These growing technologies allow students to explore plant science, sustainability, and nutrition through direct experience.
Dr. Sheri Warren, Principal at KAPPA MS 215, stated: “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.”
Teachers emphasized that the curriculum not only builds science literacy, but also introduces students to fresh produce alternatives to processed foods, an important step for communities lacking easy access to healthy food options.
A Borough-Wide Vision for Science Access
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson commented: “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.”
Manuela Zamora, Executive Director of NY Sun Works, added: “We are committed to ensuring that every public school child in New York City receives a high-quality science education. Support like this ensures students can benefit from hands-on learning approaches that make science accessible, regardless of learning style.”
NY Sun Works’ Growing Network of Urban Farming Labs
NY Sun Works has now installed hydroponic labs in 55 Bronx schools, with 39 more in development across the borough. Since opening its first lab in 2010, the organization has expanded to serve more than 140,000 students across over 350 public schools in the New York City area.
Each partner school receives:
- Ongoing teacher training in sustainability and hydroponics
- Weekly support from a hydroponic specialist for maintenance, planting, and harvesting
- Resources for curriculum integration in line with NYC science standards
These initiatives are designed to enhance STEM learning, increase access to fresh food, and build long-term educational capacity within public schools.
