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Princeton Day School Announces New Interdisciplinary Couse on Raritan River

Pictured here are PDS photojournalism students at the Raritan with photographer teacher Eileen Hohmuth-Lemonick

Princeton – Princeton Day School announced that the Upper School Photojournalism and Environmental Studies classes, along with the EnAct student sustainability club, are working together on a unique interdisciplinary term-long project called “Beauty and the Beast: The Fall and Rise of the Raritan River.”

Through the lenses of history, science, photography and economics, the PDS students will explore the river, focusing on documenting the ecological impacts that have affected the Raritan over the course of the last century and will also record its unique beauty through photography.

Upper School Science teacher Carlos Cara, English teacher and Sustainability Coordinator Liz Cutler, and Photography teacher Eileen Hohmuth-Lemonick created the project through the auspices of the Miss Fine’s Center, which provides support for interdisciplinary work at Princeton Day School. Assisted by Lower School Science teacher Aaron Schomburg, these teachers are working to help their students study and gain insight on New Jersey’s Raritan River.

In discussing the project, Ms. Hohmuth-Lemonick noted, “This river, the longest in the state, has a long history; it was used for transportation, as an energy source to many industries, and as a convenient pool for toxic waste. In addition, the river runs through many beautiful locations in central New Jersey that are the homes for many species of birds, reptiles and amphibians, and mammals alike. It is also the source of Princeton's drinking water.”

She continued, “In addition, we hope to take part in some of the recovery efforts that are taking place to bring the river and the surrounding riparian ecosystems back to health.”

The PDS students often take experiential trips to the river, allowing sufficient time for a deep exploration of the topic and to hear from outside experts.

The project will be completed in the spring, and a coffee table book is planned as a capstone to the course.