In-Class Programs

Our in-class programs, known as City Studies, are project-based and help connect teachers’ core curricula to a new kind of civics education — one that uses design and art as tools to research the city.

How does it work?

City Studies range from one-day workshops to multiple sessions. They're flexible and have been implemented in classes focusing on civics, environmental science, math, English, and more.

Create a Unique Curriculum

CUP partners with a trained teaching artist and a high school teacher to create a curriculum specific to the teacher’s needs. Students get out of the classroom to research a question about the school’s community, and use design to make a product that teaches others how that issue works.

Produce a Physical Project

Past programs have produced a booklet to help high schoolers counsel their peers in navigating the bureaucracy of cash assistance programs; a set of posters on public safety; and a publication on the pros and cons of a proposed soft drink tax. The curriculum CUP develops along with the teaching artist and high school teacher can then be used in subsequent years by the high school teacher with new students.

“This is the most engaged I’ve seen our students all semester. Especially our students with IEP’s. They really get into hunting things out in the city.”

– Bianca Briggs, The Academy of Urban Planning

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Examples of City Studies

Below are three recent examples of the projects students have created through CUP's City Studies' program.

Home Movies

A video series that helps teachers and students stay safe and healthy while creatively engaging their communities and collaborating remotely.

Explore Project

Safe Space

Students investigate how police presence impacts school safety.

Explore Project

Snack Attack

Many New York City Public school students get their calories from unhealthy junk foods— and they're buying them in school. Bronx students created this guide to get involved with their school food choices.

Explore Project

Some of Our School Partners

The International Community High School

International High School for Health Sciences

Bushwick Leaders high school for academic excellence

Bronx Health REACH

Harvest Collegiate High School

New Settlement at CMSP 327

Lyons Community School

Academy of Urban Planning and Engineering