Eureka! Science Barge On The Hudson Now Open For Season |On The Water

YONKERS, NY — The key to helping schoolchildren understand our world can once again be found on a barge on the banks of the Hudson River this summer.

The Science Barge, a floating environmental education center on the Hudson, is now open for the season, after an opening celebration and ribbon-cutting on June 1.

The interactive learning space, which is run by Groundwork Hudson Valley, has been on the Yonkers waterfront since 2008. It is billed as a living example of urban sustainability, and runs entirely off the grid through solar panels, wind turbines, rainwater catchment and biodiesel.

Groundwork Hudson Valley says that the Science Barge promotes environmental sustainability and social justice, and teaches local residents how to be more climate-resilient, stay safe during extreme weather events, and use alternative growing techniques to grow food in a built environment.

Visitors to the Science Barge will be able to learn firsthand about the innovative technologies and environmentally sustainable methods used to grow fresh produce and herbs. The barge uses its off-the-grid system to power the soil-less hydroponic system that grows a variety of vegetables and herbs. The hydroponic system conserves water and nutrients, and allows for year-round growing of fresh produce, including tomatoes, melons, peppers, eggplant and lettuce, with zero net carbon emissions, zero pesticides and zero runoff.

The Science Barge is located at 99 Dock Street, on the Yonkers waterfront. It will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m.

Find out more about the Science Barge and Groundwork Hudson Valley on their website.

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