Grand Opening ~ Sustainability Research Center at HGHS

On August 31, 2022, the Chappaqua Central School District hosted a grand opening of the new Sustainability Research Center at Horace Greeley high School. In attendance were faculty, administrators, the Board of Education, NYS Regent Dr. Fran Wills, and invited guests.

Perhaps the first of its kind on a high school campus, the Sustainability Research Center (SRC) is a free-standing, 2,000+ sq. ft. climate-controlled, multi-zoned, glass research laboratory with adjoining head house classroom space for studying plant sciences and preparing materials to be used in the SRC.

In preparation for this day, the District established learning teams to work toward integrating sustainability into each of the schools, developed K-12 standards that defines what our students should know, and be able to do at each level, in order to be sustainability literate, and identified plant science connections that exist in our current curriculum and state standards.

“The planning involved for the SRC has resulted in the creation of new programs, course offerings, and cross-curricular lessons,” said Dr. Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools. “What began as an aquaponics unit of study in a small storage space between two classrooms has blossomed into this state-of-the-art facility where our students can really focus on areas of plant science, ecology, environmental science, hydroponics, and sustainability.”

The potential usage of the SRC is far-reaching and includes the creation of various partnerships and connections both near and far. The Sustainability Research Center was made possible by the generosity of the Robert and Ardis James Foundation, the Chappaqua School Foundation and the Chappaqua PTA. CCSD is very fortunate to have wonderful alumni and partners in our community who support progressive educational experiences for our students.