This past Monday, on April 20th, 2026, High Tech students transformed into "art detectives" during an immersive visit to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
Students participated in a guided tour focused on the evolution of modern thought. In a hands-on workshop, students experimented with drawing and collage, mirroring the techniques used by the masters they studied.
After the workshops, students spent time individually "browsing" the masterpieces. From the sweeping light of Monet’s Water Lilies to the thick impasto of Van Gogh, students explored how different movements capture the human experience.
The highlight of the day was a specialized Surrealist Challenge. Students were assigned abstract concepts such as "Magic," "Irrational," "Dream," and "Subconscious." Their mission was to navigate the galleries and identify the specific Surrealist painting that best embodied their word. This activity forced students to move beyond the surface of the canvas, connecting deeply with the psychological themes of artists like Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and Frida Kahlo.
"By giving the students a specific lens—like 'The Irrational'—through which to view the art, we saw a much higher level of engagement," said Dr. Laje Gashi. "They weren't just looking at paintings; they were searching for meaning and justifying their choices based on visual evidence." To conclude the day, students finalized their "Style Scout" worksheets and completed a post-trip survey, reflecting on how their assigned "word" changed their perception of the artwork
The trip served as a powerful reminder that art is not just to be seen, but to be felt and interpreted.
