Con Edison's Power of Green Initiative Brings Environmental Science to Riis Settlement Youth

Director of Educational Initiatives Lloyetta Walls explains the fundamentals of hydroponics.

Wait a minute, where’s the soil?   That might be the first question you ask when you see the plants growing at the Jacob A. Riis Ravenswood Cornerstone Community Center. The young people at Ravenswood would quickly answer that these plants don’t need soil because they are being grown through hydroponics-in a water-based nutrient solution rather than in soil.  The project at Ravenswood is allowing youth to grow their own basil, bok choi, and lettuce and to use these vegetables to create healthy dishes for their friends and fellow students.  Despite the normal trial and error involved in any scientific project, the experiment has been a big success.

Beginning this September, thanks to a generous grant from Con Edison, hydroponics will be coming to Riis Settlement’s after-school program at P.S. 166 in Astoria, as well.  25 4th and 5th graders will grow their own herbs and vegetables while exploring fundamental concepts in applied science, technology, and environmental studies. The project will include a wide range of interdisciplinary activities that will enhance the children’s abilities in critical thinking, team building, and community service, including:

• Exploration of subject areas in marketing, economics, entrepreneurship and social impact;
• Journaling and blogging to document and share experiences and data;
• Sharing of products grown with fellow participants through the preparation of healthy meals and snacks;
• Visits to local farms and green markets, and;
• Presentation of projects at year-end and at community events.

Plans are also afoot to replicate the program at our sites at I.S. 126 and Queensbridge, as well, so that more of our young people can experience the fun and wonder of growing their own herbs and vegetables. “Many young people in our community don’t have the opportunity to experience inquiry-based science learning,” said Riis Settlement’s Director of Educational Initiatives, Lloyetta Walls. “We thank Con Edison for partnering with us to bring this opportunity to them.”