Students at a Bronx middle school in Claremont Village are learning about sustainability, gardening and science through a new classroom lab that uses a hydroponic, or water based, system to grow their own healthy produce.
Students, teachers, administrators and elected officials celebrated the new, state-of-the-art lab at Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy (KAPPA) middle school with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour of the lettuce, herbs, tomatoes and cucumbers the students have already started growing.
Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson presented the school with a check for $115,000 to fund the classroom, where through a partnership with education nonprofit NY Sun Works, students will grow their own food and learn about urban agriculture and its role in fighting climate change.
“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,” Gibson said.
The school dedicated the new lab to Dr. Marie Clark Taylor, the first Black woman to earn a PhD in botany, right here in the Bronx at Fordham University in 1943. Taylor later became the Head of the Botany Department at the historically Black college, Howard University in Washington D.C.
Students will honor the memory of Dr. Taylor as they explore a variety of hydroponic systems, including tray-based setups ideal for growing herbs and leafy greens like lettuce, as well as Vine Crop Systems that support vertical growth for crops such as cucumbers and tomatoes. These vertical systems not only conserve space but also create a striking visual effect, with plants appearing to hang from the ceiling.
KAPPA’s Principal, Dr. Sheri Warren, said that learning to garden fresh produce was especially important for her school.
“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 Warren. “This is especially important since our school is situated in and our students reside in a food desert.
Through KAPPA’s partnership with NY Sun Works, science educators with receive ongoing professional development to enhance their teaching. The program also includes regular support from a hydroponic specialist, who will guide teachers on system maintenance and troubleshooting, ensuring they can effectively educate students and teach essential urban gardening skills.
