On a breezy May afternoon, students in Ms. Grasso-Moise's art classes traded desks for dunes during a hands-on field trip to Heckscher State Park, where nature served as both classroom and canvas. Guided by educators from the Center for Environmental Education and Discovery (CEED), the day offered a powerful reminder of the importance of arts education and experiential learning. CEED, a nonprofit nature center based in Brookhaven, connects the community to nature and science through discovery, art, and education.

As they wandered wooded trails and shoreline paths, students collected petals, leaves, grains of sand, and other natural materials using adhesive paper framed in black — transforming simple finds into works of art and discovery. What some might consider weeds became gateways to learning about plant properties, herbal remedies, and survival skills. Students explored which plants are medicinal, which are harmful to the touch, and which could be used in practical ways — even to brew tea or insulate in an emergency.

CEED naturalists led interactive lessons that immersed students in environmental science, marine biology, and indigenous ecological knowledge. Seining along the shore yielded glimpses of the aquatic world, including exoskeletons of horseshoe crabs, sparking excitement and scientific curiosity.

Inspired by artist Andy Goldsworthy, students also created ephemeral land art using their gathered materials. Their fleeting works — documented through photography and video — highlighted how art can be deeply rooted in place yet intentionally impermanent.

The field trip underscored the value of integrating the arts into outdoor education — fostering creativity, mindfulness, and a lasting connection to the natural world.