• The Science Barge

  Hudson River at Dock St., Yonkers; 914-375-2151

  There are plenty of ways to learn about science within the city proper, but they’re likely not as concentrated or as exciting as they are on this floating classroom overlooking the Jersey Palisades from a Yonkers dock. A group called Groundwork Hudson Valley took over the Science Barge last October and moved it from its previous location along the West Side Highway in Chelsea (it was in danger of being dismantled for lack of funding). When programs begin again in April, kids will learn about energy independence through functioning solar panels and wind turbines (the barge is self-sustaining), see how rainwater is purified onboard, and pedal a bike to light a bulb. Barge director Bob Walters says his next project will be installing an environmentally friendly bathroom on the barge, but for now, visitors have to use the one in the Yonkers MetroNorth station, right across the street.

From the 2009 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine