The Practical Arts department provides the building blocks for students to gain new skills completely from scratch, regardless of their previous experience. Students working in this department have a range of interest levels, from simple curiosity in these subjects to intense dedication. A lot of times, what starts as curiosity in the Practical Arts department grows into a future for students’ careers and hobbies.
The department does their best to provide students with all the skills needed to pursue these technical futures. Some teachers also wish to see opportunities for trade skills to be taught at EBHS so students can go straight into fields they wish to be a part of.
In Practical Arts classes, the curriculum is built in a way that fosters creativity. Learning is mainly project based and therefore students are able to get hands-on experience and learn from their successes and mistakes. In my own experience, Practical Arts classes have been a way to take a break from the traditional lecture-style classes and learn something new.
When thinking about the future, faculty are not just thinking about what curriculum changes they would like to see but also physical changes. With plans for a new EBHS building in the works, teachers are thinking about what they would like to see for their department in the new building. A common theme throughout what teachers are looking for is room for collaboration. In the new building Ms. Nesci wants to see “dynamic and collaborative classroom spaces that foster adaptability” and Mr. Alsobrooks agrees. He points to the current students circling around their drone buzzing in the air and says that “having spaces where students can work together better would be great,” having spaces that work with the curriculum would improve the learning experiences for all students.
A place for curiosity and collaboration, the Practical Arts department encourages the spirit of inquiry and teamwork across their variety of subjects.
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Practical Arts : Fostering Curiosity and Connection
February 22, 2024
Seniors (from left) Maria Samaan, Amanda Beiderman, and Danielle Lederman pose for a picture with Avnoor, a preschool student, while waiting for her to be picked up.
Gabby Martins (12) and Gianna Witkowski (11) show off the children’s book that they’ve written in Human Growth and Development.
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About the Contributor
Layla Sheikh, Bear Hub Staff
Layla is a senior at East Brunswick High School. She loves all sorts of creative outlets such as art, sewing, and baking. When she’s not reflecting the habits of a grandmother, Layla enjoys spending time outside hiking and discovering new trails. She always makes sure to document her adventures whether at home or in the great outdoors in her trusty finsta (“fake instagram”) account. In the future she plans to study Computer Science and Art and hopes to find a new way to combine the two in a fulfilling way.