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QUEENS WEEKLY, DEC. 16, 2018
Astoria school opens hydroponic lab
IS 26’s new science space stems from city councilman’s Science 2050 budget initiative
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BY BILL PARRY
Last year, PS 122 in Astoria
became the first public
school in the city to open a
hydroponic science lab, and
now a second Astoria school
has one.
City Councilman Costa
Constantinides helped
cut the ribbon for another
hydroponic science lab
at IS 126, another major
step in his $3.7 million
Science 2050 budget initiative
to improve science
learning spaces in
his district.
He has now funded
labs in 11 schools since
he took office in 2014.
“Science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics
are the careers of
the future, which is why
it’s important we give tomorrow’s
leaders handson
opportunities today,”
Constantinides said. “”I
hope IS 126 students will
greatly benefit from this
lab, as students throughout
our district will in
generations to come.”
Hydroponic labs are
a vital component to the
Constantinides plan to
embolden science education
in his district’s public
schools. This innovative
technology allows
students to grow plant
life with a relatively low
of water and mineral solutions
instead of soil.
Not only do hydroponics
labs offer hands-on
biology education, they
also teach students about
agriculture, technology
and nutrition. Hydroponic
labs also employ ladybugs
rather than pesticides
to protect plants.
“The IS 126 community
is very excited about
the opening of our hydroponic
lab,” IS 126 Principal
Alexander Angueira
said. “We are looking
forward to the hands on
experiences that the students
will be receiving
hands on instruction that
they will be able to use all
their lives. We are hopeful
that the lab will help our
students become more environmentally
conscious
and put them on the path
to becoming energy conserving
citizens.”
That is something
Constantinides has prioritized
as he serves as
the chairman of the City
Council’s Environmental
Protection Committee.
Other funding allocated
by Constantinides covers
STEM lab updates, solar
panels, technology and facility
upgrades in his district’s
schools. Sun Works
New York installed the hydroponic
lab at IS 126 and
trained faculty on how
students can get the most
out of the technology.
“We are grateful for
Council Member Constantinides
passionate leadership
on science education
initiatives,” said Sidsel
Robards of New York Sun
Works. “With the council
members support the
students of Astoria will
grow up to be leaders in
STEM, nutrition, and
planetary health while
growing food for their
community.”
Some of the herbs and
vegetables harvested from
the hydroponic labs will
be donated to Communities
for Healthy Food. Other
schools either operating
a lab or earmarked to
receive one include PS 70,
PS 17, PS 84, IS 141, Long
Island City High School,
PS 171, PS 85, PS 300,
and the Young Women’s
Leadership School.
Reach reporter Bill
Parry by e-mail at bparry@
cnglocal.com or by
phone at (718) 260–4538.
Vegetables and herbs harvested from the IS 126 hydroponic science lab will be donated to
Communities for Healthy Food. Photos courtesy of Constantinides’ office
Constantinides believes his Science 2050 budget initiative,
which has provided funds for labs in 11 district schools, will
provide the education students need for careers of the future.
City Councilman Costa Constantinides helps cut the ribbon at the new hydroponic science lab
at the Astoria school.
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