STUDENTS found themselves performing a world first on a cultural trip to New York.
Year 8-11 students from Darlington School of Mathematics and Science were the very first school party to tour the renowned Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum following a three-year refurbishment.
The building was donated to the city by a steel magnate on the understanding it was used to promote design technology.
For the past three years it has been closed for major renovations and the Darlington students became the first in the world to enjoy its new look.
Teacher Rachel Neville said: “Our guide made a big thing of us being the first school party in the world to visit since the museum reopened. As well as being given a VIP tour the students also took part in a workshop in which they had to design something for a disabled person.”
For many of the students it was the first time they had been abroad, to New York and even on an aeroplane.
Other highlights of the five-day trip were standing at the top of the Empire State Building, visiting the Guggenheim, having their images projected on the big screen in Times Square, walking around Central Park and touring the Natural History Museum, which the students recognised from the movie Night at the Museum.
“The students were fantastic and gained an incredible amount from the trip,” said Mrs Neville.
Charis Bell, 15, said: “Going up the Empire State Building was magical.” Joe Towle, 14, added: “It was amazing just being in the city and seeing so many sights that we are familiar with because of TV and film.”
