The Sylvia Center’s teens are embracing aeroponics! Thanks to a New York Agriculture in the Classroom “Grow With Us Grant”, our teen students at Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment (BASE) are exploring the use of aeroponics, a revolutionary method of vertical gardening that could have a huge impact for city residents.
This student-led project will see our teens tend to plants, then harvest produce to use in TSC recipes. The teens have also recently had the opportunity to take part in Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s ecology-driven programming, exploring urban gardening, environmental justice and cooking.
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- Aeroponic tower garden
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- Mixed lettuces and kale
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- Kale
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- Green leaf lettuce
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- Red leaf lettuce
The Sylvia Center’s teen program is introducing an aeroponic gardening component! Thanks to a New York Agriculture in the Classroom “Grow With Us Grant” – which helps schools across the city integrate food, agriculture and nutrition-focused extracurricular activities – our teen students at Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment (BASE) now get to explore the process of growing fresh produce year-round with indoor aeroponic tower gardens.
Aeroponic tower gardens are vertical growing systems which can cultivate up to 20 vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers in less than three square feet, and can function indoors or out with just water and nutrients. Crops are grown completely suspended in air rather than soil, allowing maximum aeration and oxygen intake, and no chemical pesticides or fertilizers are required, making this an incredibly efficient and eco-friendly method. This revolutionary type of gardening saves about 95% of water in comparison to standard farming practices.
Teens and Sylvia Center Chef Educators Cara and Eli will tend to baby kale, a variety of lettuces and herbs throughout the fall and winter seasons. As a student-led project, peers will check on the nutrient and water levels, making sure the crops are healthy. After harvesting, the teens plan to incorporate the produce into TSC recipes. As well as exploring the benefits of aeroponics, our students have been taking part in Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s environmental ecology-driven programming, exploring peer advocacy, composting, climate change and waste management. We are so proud of the work and engagement of our young community members and can’t wait to see the abundant growth of their aeroponic garden!
