Upper School students enhance learning with museum trips in New York City

One of the ways that the Stuart Fund supports the student experience is through field trips that foster meaningful connections to the curriculum and provide valuable bonding opportunities. In addition to a recent trip to Princeton University for chemistry students, students in AP Art History, AP Studio and AP Environmental Science ventured into New York City to expand upon their learning at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the American Museum of Natural History, respectively. 

At the Museum of Modern Art, students sketched each other in modern poses, as they explored the 1913 sculpture by Umberto Boccioni, one of the key figures in the Italian Futurist movement, that “integrates trajectories of speed and force into the representation of a striding figure.”. Students then related 1960s ads to James Rosenquist's F-111 painting, which was “inspired by the bright and colorful magazines and advertisements of the 1960s, Rosenquist layered images of everyday objects—like a hair dryer—with images related to the Vietnam War, such as the F-111 bomber jet this painting was named after.” 

At the American Museum of Natural History, AP Environmental Science students immersed themselves in a world of ecological wonders. The museum, located in the heart of New York City, proved to be an ideal setting for students studying ecology, biomes, earth systems, and biodiversity and provided students a comprehensive understanding of the interconnections between living organisms and their environments. A highlight of the trip was the Hall of Ocean Life, which brought marine ecosystems to life with its impressive displays of marine biodiversity. Students delved into the intricacies of oceanic food webs, the impact of climate change on marine life, and the significance of preserving these delicate ecosystems for the well-being of the entire planet.