On Monday, March 16, Berkeley Carroll Middle School students set out across the five boroughs, and welcomed experts into the building, for the newly expanded Project NYC, an immersive, one-day program connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences.

Organized around grade-level advisory themes, Project NYC offered students the opportunity to explore New York City as a living classroom, one filled with history, creativity, community, and innovation.

Fifth graders, guided by the theme “The Studio,” explored identity and expression through hands-on artistic experiences. Some became “detectives of the past,” uncovering stories in local cemeteries through gravestones and symbols, while others studied Brooklyn street art, created portraits in professional studios, or designed and printed their own original works.

Sixth grade, centered on “The Stage,” brought storytelling to life through performance and design. Students participated in improv workshops, visited Broadway and theater institutions, and collaborated to build props, sets, and visual materials for their original plays, blending creativity, craftsmanship, and teamwork.

Seventh graders focused on “Food Systems and Equity,” engaging deeply with questions of access, nutrition, and community. Through cooking classes, partnerships with organizations like CHiPs and Emma’s Torch, and media projects exploring food justice, students connected hands-on experiences with broader social impact.

Eighth graders, exploring “Sustaining Our Future,” examined environmental responsibility and global citizenship. Students investigated climate resilience projects across NYC, explored sustainable fashion and waste systems, engaged with wildlife conservation, and learned about international cooperation through visits connected to the United Nations and other organizations.

Across all grades, Project NYC highlighted a wide range of experiences, from arts and performance to science, sustainability, and civic engagement, while encouraging students to think critically about their role in the world around them.

By stepping outside the schoolhouse, students were able to deepen their academic understanding, ask meaningful questions, and build connections throughout the greatest classroom in the world, NYC.

Explore the Project NYC Photo Galleries Here