Astoria school opens hydroponic lab
IS 26’s new science space stems from councilman’s Science 2050 budget initiative
City Councilman Costa Constantinides help cut the ribbon at the new hydroponic science lab at IS 126 in Astoria. Vegetables and herbs harvested from the IS 126
hydroponic science lab will be donated to Communities for Healthy Food. Photos courtesy of Constantinides’ office
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
hands-on 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.
Hydroponic labs allow students to grow herbs and vegetables in
water and other mediums providing a hands-on education in many
subjects including biology, agriculture, sustainability, technology
and nutrition.
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.
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