Manhattan parents, Manuela Zamora and Sidsel Robards, were deeply inspired when they visited the nearby Science Barge project—a floating urban farm that uses renewable energy and rainwater capture to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, strawberries, eggplant, beans and herbs with zero net carbon emissions, zero chemical pesticides, and zero runoff. As a result they were determined to get urban gardening on to their kids’ curriculum.

“That’s when we came up with the idea for The Greenhouse Project,” said Manuela Zamora, “because we believe that science education is critical if our children are going to face—and overcome—the environmental challenges of this century,” In the heart of New York’s most dense urban community, the parents wanted to provide their children with access to hands on learning experiences. However, they faced the same challenges all New Yorker’s face—no space.

So the parents of kids at Manhattan School for Children partnered with NY Sun Works, the Founder of the Science Barge, to build a greenhouse classroom on the school’s roof! The rooftop location provides the necessary space and captures more sunlight than would ever be available at ground level.

After two and half years the rooftop greenhouse classroom is finally ready. It will be unveiled on November 22nd and will be permanent feature of MSC’s community and curriculum. It’s projected to grow 8,000 pounds of produce and collect 40,000 gallons of rainwater a year. Children grow food while learning hands-on about nutrition, water resource management, efficient land use, climate change, biodiversity, conservation, contamination, pollution, waste management and sustainable development. To further enhance the learning experience, the laboratory will include solar panels, a hydroponics growing system, a rainwater catchment system, and a weather station.

“By empowering kids to make their own educated choices about their impact on the environment,” explains Sidsel Robards, “we can equip them to come up with new solutions for a more sustainable future.”