Learning Across Divisions: Curiosity, Discovery, and Growth Every Day (Spring 2026)
Museum visits, field studies, research presentations, competitions, performances, and hands-on projects took BWL students across New York City and beyond this spring. Along the way, students examined local ecosystems, explored historical landmarks, analyzed works of art and literature, conducted scientific investigations, and shared original research. These experiences complemented classroom study while giving students opportunities to engage with subjects in new settings and alongside their peers.
Experiential learning remained a central part of student life throughout the semester, with students across all divisions applying classroom knowledge through field studies, research projects, competitions, performances, and hands-on activities. These experiences encouraged students to ask questions, test ideas, and engage directly with the subjects they were studying.
Lower School
Lower School students explored science through observation and investigation. 2nd graders visited the Bronx Zoo to study animal adaptations, connecting their classroom discussions to real animals and habitats. Kindergarten students examined the water cycle through a "Cloud in a Jar" STEAM experiment, while 5th graders concluded their neuroscience unit with a sheep brain dissection. 4th graders traveled to Central Park to identify rock formations and geological features using skills developed in class. A group of 4th and 5th graders also attended the New York Sun Works Sustainability Youth Conference, where they learned from student-led environmental research projects from across the city.
Mathematics and problem-solving took students beyond the classroom as well. 1st and 3rd graders visited the Museum of Mathematics to explore tessellations and mathematical patterns through interactive exhibits. 5th graders participated in Math Olympiad competitions that challenged them to apply logic, strategy, and perseverance. 2nd graders were introduced to coding concepts through Bee-Bot activities that emphasized sequencing, testing, and revision.
History and cultural studies were enriched through firsthand experiences. 5th graders examined competing viewpoints during a Patriots and Loyalists debate connected to their study of the Revolutionary War. 4th and 5th grade students visited Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty as part of their study of immigration and American history. 3rd graders complemented their study of Australia by making and tasting traditional fairy bread.
Students also developed teamwork and collaboration through shared experiences. During a Survivor-themed adventure in Central Park, 2nd graders navigated landmarks using maps and completed group challenges that emphasized communication and cooperation. Students who visited Yankee Stadium explored the Yankees Museum and Monument Park while learning about the history of one of New York City's most iconic teams.
Middle School
Middle School field trips this year extended classroom inquiry into the city itself, connecting coursework across disciplines to primary sources, research settings, and professional practice.
Literary and humanities studies anchored several of the year's trips. As part of a close study of Romeo and Juliet, 8th graders analyzed the play's themes and design before attending a performance of &Juliet on Broadway, examining how a contemporary adaptation reinterprets a canonical text. While reading Night, students visited the Jewish Museum to deepen their understanding of the historical context surrounding Elie Wiesel's memoir. Students also visited the Society of Illustrators, studying visual arts and composition through its collections. 7th graders extended their study of visual storytelling through a stop-motion animation workshop at MakeInspires, while students in the Game Design elective applied principles of systems and design to present original games during Middle School Assembly.
Scientific research and fieldwork formed another central part of the program. Through BWL's partnership with the Billion Oyster Project, students spent the year conducting research and participating in fieldwork connected to New York Harbor. Their work culminated at the Billion Oyster Project Symposium, where several 6th graders earned recognition for projects inspired by the organization's mission to restore oyster populations to local waterways. 6th graders also visited Newtown Creek, where they tested water quality, identified fish species, and examined factors affecting the health of local ecosystems. Students enrolled in Urban Agriculture expanded their studies during a visit to the Javits Center, learning about sustainable farming practices and innovations in food production.
Students also strengthened community through shared experiences outside the classroom. 6th graders celebrated the end of the year with a trip to Coney Island and the New York Aquarium, while 7th graders visited Governors Island's "The Yard," collaborating to build structures using recycled materials.
Upper School
New York City served as an important extension of the curriculum for Upper School students. During a walking tour of Lower Manhattan, 11th graders connected their study of early American history to landmarks including the Alexander Hamilton Customs House, Peter Minuit Plaza, Battery Park, and the Fraunces Tavern Museum. AP Comparative Government students attended a screening of Mr. Nobody Against Putin at the IFC Center, using the film to examine the relationship between education, government, and political culture.
Literature students explored how place, history, and biography shape the reading experience. 9th graders studying The Catcher in the Rye visited locations in Central Park connected to Holden Caulfield's journey through New York City. Seniors in AP Literature participated in a customized literary walking tour of the Upper East Side, visiting the homes of authors they had studied throughout their time at BWL, along with literary landmarks and locations featured in works they had read in class. The tour included stops connected to J.D. Salinger, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Joan Didion, Sylvia Plath, and John Steinbeck, with students reading excerpts aloud at several locations along the route. Designed by English teacher Mr. Davis Alianiello, the experience offered students an opportunity to reflect on four years of literary study while exploring the neighborhood's rich literary history.
Art students engaged directly with professional galleries and working methods. 9th grade Studio Art students visited the Acquavella and Alexander Berggruen Galleries to study works by Henri Matisse and Tahnee Lonsdale. They continued developing observational skills through live flower studies and plein air sketching sessions at John Jay Park.
Science and technology classes incorporated hands-on investigation throughout the semester. Science students conducted a cow eye dissection as part of their study of anatomy, while AP Biology students explored cellular communication through laboratory activities focused on chemical signaling. In Computer Science, students used collaborative exercises to strengthen their understanding of JavaScript data types and programming concepts.
Across every division, experiential learning gave students opportunities to engage with ideas in tangible ways. Whether conducting environmental research, exploring literary landmarks, studying works of art, participating in competitions, or carrying out scientific investigations, students connected classroom learning to experiences that extended their understanding of the world around them.