Field Trips Immerse Students in Off-Campus Learning

Throughout January, students across grades, divisions, classrooms, and clubs immersed themselves in off-campus learning experiences studying art, culture, and global citizenship.

On Jan. 4, fifth graders traveled to the Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) in Washington, CT, to kick off their history unit on Native American Life and Culture. The IAIS is a nonprofit museum and research center “dedicated to providing unique, informative, and engaging experiences for [their] members and visitors alike.” 

The field trip was very interactive, and the students enjoyed learning about the indigenous people who inhabited this region. Activities included a timeline scavenger hunt, a board game, a talking stick craft, and a cozy fire in a full-sized longhouse in the Institute’s replica “village.”

The Native American Life and Culture unit will culminate in a cross-curricular project where students will display their work in an on-campus “Native American Museum.” In preparation for their museum exhibition, students will research an individual tribe and write a report in history class. They will also write creation myths inspired by Native American stories in English class and, in art class, will replicate pottery inspired by indigenous art. 

See photos from the field trip here.

 

Beth Yavenditti’s Ethics of Global Citizenship class visited the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI), where they had the chance to meet and learn from several CIRI employees and refugees about their experiences of resettling in the United States. In class, students were studying the challenges related to immigration and migration, and this experience allowed them to connect with and learn from people who had experienced some of what they had learned. 

The refugees spoke about the challenges one faces when leaving their home country, often without much time, and the uncertainty of life as you await your next steps in a refugee camp in an unfamiliar country. Students asked them about what it was like when they first arrived in Connecticut and how CIRI helped them to get situated in their new homes. 

“The visit connected me to issues in a way that just researching them cannot,” one student said. 

CIRI has many ways to get involved with their work, which can be in-depth or straightforward. “You can help by saying hello and being kind when you meet a refugee,” one employee shared.

 

In January, 11 members of St. Luke’s student-led Women in Humanities Club took a captivating trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 

Immersed in the artistic realm, these students explored works by remarkable female artists including Mary Cassatt, Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, and Cecilia Beaux. Each student chose a piece that resonated with them and delivered insightful two-minute, in-gallery analyses. 

As students shared their thoughtful presentations, faculty advisors were struck by students' deep love for learning and leadership—attributes at the core of our school’s mission. The exchange of knowledge didn't stop there: museum patrons, impressed by our girls’ expertise, joined in creating a dynamic atmosphere of shared appreciation. 

The evening concluded with a special dinner at The Met dining room, marking an unforgettable experience that exemplifies the spirit of our St. Luke's community. A big thank you to our club president, Ali DeFilippo ‘25, for making this club a vibrant and rich part of SLS life. 

 

Eighth grade Mandarin students spent a day immersed in Asian culture. They began the day by attending a kung fu class at SDSS Martial Arts of Wilton, where they practiced the ancient form of martial arts and tested their patience, self-discipline, and energy. The students then headed to Norwalk where they explored the Oriental Food Market and indulged in authentic Chinese cuisine at Wild Rice.

See photos from their trip.