To supplement classroom learning, field trips in the GT Program can help students more fully grasp the material from class through real life experience. On Tuesday morning, students in AP American Studies are heading to the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth to see American art from different time periods first hand.
“Art connects to this broader idea of American Identity, [and that´s] a core theme we’ve been exploring through AMSTUD,” junior Neha Ramachandran said. “By analyzing this at a museum, we can bolster [both] our understanding of this theme and [our] connection with the American Identity, allowing us to succeed in the class and gain overall civic knowledge.”
For Ramachandran, past field trips in the GT Program were greatly beneficial, which increased her enthusiasm for this one.
“I’ve really enjoyed past field trips in GT as they’ve allowed us to creatively explore theories we’ve learned in class, take a break from listening to lectures and taking notes, and expand our knowledge in a more unconventional way,” Ramachandran said. “While enjoyment is a huge part of what makes [these] field trips amazing, they also end up improving our knowledge by expanding on understanding through primary sources – which is really helpful in a class like GT that requires us to make abstract connections.”
Standing face to face with portraits of the various historical figures students learn about in class or even just observing art that relates to their lives can enrich students’ understanding of those people.
“In class we only learn about the facts and the figures rather than about the personalities and the preferences of historical figures,” junior Nicole Dsilva said. “By seeing pieces of art that they would have interacted with or art that would’ve been made of them, it’s interesting to know who exactly those people were and not just facts and figures. But rather knowing them as a person and what they liked and how they lived.”
To some students, the field trip is more than just an educational opportunity, as they look forward to the enjoyment that comes with visiting the museum itself.
“I’m excited to have a learning experience outside of the classroom – just for the change of scenery,” junior Sydney Kiely said. “I’m also excited to look at the art because with AcDec I have a new appreciation for it and it’s just generally a fun way to look at history. Finally, I’m also going to enjoy being with my friends.”
