Eleanor Roosevelt School, USA
BrightFarm IS143 will deliver environmental education through sustainable urban food production. The facility is scheduled to be built on the roof of Eleanor Roosevelt School Intermediate School (IS143) in Washington Heights, New York in 2008.
BrightFarm IS143 will use hydroponic greenhouse technology, powered by renewable energy, to grow food in the heart of the city. Building on the success of the Science Barge education program, the rooftop learning laboratory will provide a unique facility for the learning of science concepts including food production, nutrition and environmental sustainability.
The four bay structure will be built on the roof of Eleanor Roosevelt School, and will require only minor alterations to the existing roof of the building. Two of the four bays are to be dedicated to hydroponic crop production, a third bay will provide dedicated year-round classroom space for the teaching of environmental science. The fourth bay will provide storage space for engineering and teaching equipment.