Over the course of this academic year, the grade 10 students tirelessly worked on their personal projects. The students culminated their learning through both a process journal and an exhibit of their product. This grade 10 class was the first to experience the Personal Project journey in ICSA’s history. Guided by Ms. Misha, Ms. Palmer and the personal project supervisors, the grade 10 students were able to successfully complete this endeavour. In order to celebrate this milestone, we decided to take a look at some of the projects of the grade 10 students.
The grade 10 personal project exhibition showcased a wide range of student ideas and interests, from cookbooks, video games, and much more. Nadia, who has Lebanese ancestry, said she wanted to connect with her Lebanese roots. “I learnt new techniques on how to make certain Lebanese desserts and created a cookbook both in English and Arabic.” Similarly, Anne took the initiative to make over 10 dishes from different countries, with the learning objective to properly understand the identities and cultures of the diverse ICSA community. Another project was a 3v3 basketball tournament with the goal of raising funds for an orphanage called L’orphelinat de Garçon de Bingerville, by Adeseyi. These projects highlight how students focused on numerous ideas, ranging from dishes to dunks.
Behind each project was a detailed and meticulous process that required planning, research and overall resilience. Nadia had to test different recipes and formulations as well as sharpen her Arabic skills in order to complete her cookbook. For Adeseyi, organising a fundraising event also proved to be a logistical nightmare, yet he ended up raising over $2500, surpassing his original goal of $1000. The personal project is about more than the final product—the journey is equally, if not more, significant.
For many students, their projects were closely tied with their personal interests and passions that showed a strong bond with their own culture. Anne chose her topic because she used to marvel at watching [her] mom cook a different meal. “It developed into a true passion for cooking.” Anne stated that in her culture, whoever cooked would get the first taste of the food. In a similar way, Nadia wanted to “fill the gap between my two worlds, Lebanon and Canada” showing just how important culture is to shaping the identities of the grade 10 students, and in turn their project.
The IB MYP Personal Project is a bold approach to learning that brings out students’ passions, identities, and ATL skills all in one assessment. With the end of Grade 10 approaching, students can finally let out a sigh of relief now that the once-towering mountain has been scaled. Ultimately, the project concluded on a high note with the exhibition, and for their first time navigating this milestone, the Grade 10s truly delivered.