Art Meets Civics: West Babylon Students Explore Real-World Issues Through Mask Project

WEST BABYLON, NY — Seventh graders at West Babylon Junior High School recently combined art and social studies to take a closer look at global civic issues.

As part of an interdisciplinary project inspired by Native American traditions of using masks for protection and storytelling, students selected a current world issue — including climate change, inequality, mental health, and global conflict — and designed masks symbolizing the challenge they want to confront.

The finished masks are now displayed in classrooms across the building, showcasing both students’ creativity and their reflections on real-world problems.

The assignment also supports the Civic Seal of Readiness requirement by encouraging students to analyze civic topics and consider ways to engage with them.