New York Sun Works
Introduction


New York Sun Works, founded in 2004 by [Ted Caplow](/wiki/Theodore_Caplow "Theodore Caplow"), is a [501(c)(3\)](/wiki/501%28c%29%283%29_organization "501(c)(3) organization") [non\-profit organization](/wiki/Nonprofit_organization "Nonprofit organization") that uses [hydroponic farming](/wiki/Hydroponics "Hydroponics") technology to educate students and teachers about the science of sustainability. Their Hydroponic Classroom program was inspired by NY Sun Works' first project, the renowned [Science Barge](/wiki/Science_Barge "Science Barge"), a prototype sustainable urban farm and environmental education center previously docked on the [Hudson River](/wiki/Hudson_River "Hudson River") and now located in Yonkers under different ownership.

In 2010, New York Sun Works built the first of their Hydroponic Classrooms at a Manhattan public elementary schoolKerri MacDonald, "On a School Rooftop, Hydroponic Greens for Little Gardeners," *New York Times*, Nov. 22, 2010 ([http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/on\-a\-school\-rooftop\-hydroponic\-greens\-for\-little\-gardeners/?ref\=nyregion\&\_r\=0](http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/on-a-school-rooftop-hydroponic-greens-for-little-gardeners/?ref=nyregion&_r=0)). with the goal of teaching sustainability science and climate education. In 2022, they launched their Workforce Development Program pilot program with funding from the USDA, which certifies high school students in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) techniques.The Green Apple, *Growing New Teaching Methods*, WABC, [http://wabc.typepad.com/thegreenapple/2011/11/growing\-new\-teaching\-methods.html](http://wabc.typepad.com/thegreenapple/2011/11/growing-new-teaching-methods.html) (March 6, 2015\).

As of April 2024, they have built, maintained, and supported over 300 Hydroponic Classrooms in schools across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and New Jersey. NY Sun Works is an [EPA](/wiki/United_States_Environmental_Protection_Agency "United States Environmental Protection Agency"), [NAAEE](/wiki/North_American_Association_for_Environmental_Education "North American Association for Environmental Education"), and [Harvard Business School](/wiki/Harvard_Business_School "Harvard Business School") Club of NY award\-winning organization and maintains a platinum\-rated status on [Guidestar](/wiki/Guidestar "Guidestar") and a Top\-Rated status on [GreatNonprofits](/wiki/GreatNonprofits "GreatNonprofits").


When was New York Sun Works founded?