A culminating event of the six-year Middle Years Programme and an International Baccalaureate academic standard which has been constantly endorsed by our IB-aligned educational institution, this year’s MYP Personal Project Exhibition took place on the 27th of February in the Secondary Campus, unveiling a set of admirable, inspiring and complex self-crafted works so amazingly put together by our 10th graders.
The MYP is designed for students aged 11 to 16. It provides a framework of learning that encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. The MYP emphasizes intellectual challenge, encouraging students to make connections between their studies in traditional subjects and the real world. It fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement—essential qualities for young people who are becoming global leaders. The MYP is flexible enough to accommodate most national or local curriculum requirements. It builds upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and prepares students to meet the academic challenges of the IB Diploma Programme (DP).
The MYP consists of eight subject groups: language acquisition, language and literature, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education and design. Student study is supported by a minimum of 50 hours of instruction per subject group in each academic year. In years 4 and 5, students have the option to take courses from six of the eight subject groups, which provides greater flexibility.
MYP Personal Projects provide students the opportunity to develop a project independently, producing a truly personal and creative piece of work that stands as a summative review of their ability to conduct independent work.
This year’s exhibition revealed, once more, our students’ daring spirit, inquisitiveness, creativity and knowledge. It was a true demonstration of courage, of passion and determination in facing the obstacles and thriving in an ever-changing world. Through their projects, our students have proven yet again that no matter what challenges may arise along the way, they will always take action and strive for a better world. Each and every one of those projects was a reflection of bravery, as they not only shared their aspirations with the community, but also their concerns about the world around them and how they plan to improve those aspects.
If you entered the exhibition hall, your eyes would shift from raising environmental awareness to video-gaming design, from digital screen exposure awareness to philosophical interpretation of art, and many more. Each project, so elaborately brought to life, offered the observer a glimpse into these students’ minds, showcasing their unique perception of existence. Here are a few titles of this year’s exhibition: “The Deconstruction of the Classic Hero in Tarantino’s Movies”, “The Impact of Colors and Aesthetics”, “The Mark Twain Times: The Voice of the Future”, “Sensory Confectionery”, “From Concept to Play”, “Sleep 101 - Better Sleep, Better Life”, “The History of Rap”, “Protecting Eyes from Screens”, “Rain Water Collection System”, “Biodegradable Sanitizing Wipes”, “The Past We Might Not See”, “Oregano Oil - Creating a Natural Medicine”. Each project was a reflection of the values cherished and, moreover, encouraged by Mark Twain International School, namely: dreaming big, working hard for those dreams, and always staying true to your own self. When asked what they enjoyed most about the “Personal Project” experience, the overall response of our 10th graders was the journey towards their final goal - the research they had to make, accompanied by the necessary craft work, which allowed them to achieve such wonderful results -, improving self-management skills and discipline. Without expressing any doubt, this year’s MYP graduates are ready to embark on their next adventure: the prestigious Diploma Programme, culminating with the International Baccalaureate.
We would like to thank all our students, teachers, mentors and directors, as well as our IB MYP Coordinator, Ms. Floriana Florea, for making this event possible, for the hard academic and research work to this end, and for what has proven to be another excellent exhibition for our school community!
Florin Ionescu
Advancement Officer
Mark Twain International School