IB and the PYP: Empowering Students to Confidently Pursue Their Passions

Students at Stamford American International School learn with the renowned IB PYP, culminating in the Grade 5 Exhibition that empowers them to change the world

We’ve long sung the praises of Stamford American International School and how its students have the unique ability to pursue both the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, but what do students do before they get to high school?

At Stamford American, students learn under the renowned Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework, which challenges them to think for themselves and take responsibility for their own learning as they explore local and global issues in an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary setting.

For Grade 5 students at Stamford American, this culminated with the G5 PYP Exhibition, a “celebration of learning”, in the words of the school’s PYP Coordinator, Perry Tkachuk:

“The Exhibition process allows students to develop and synthesise the essential elements of the PYP programme,” he explains, allow them “to use the knowledge, the concepts, the skills and the attitudes that they have developed in order to take authentic action.”

With the central idea “By expressing ourselves we can create our own unique future,” students had the agency and authority to pursue their own interests in an in-depth and authentic way, tackling a diverse and challenging array of topics such as Cyber Bullying, Ocean Pollution, Climate Change and Global Economies.

Grade 5 students were challenged to take responsibility for organizing their thoughts, conducting research, and presenting their ideas with the aid of design thinking and technology. Importantly, the project didn’t just stop with identifying the issue, but also taking action to address or improve it.

“I chose [the topic of shark finning] because it was something I felt really passionate about,” says Grade 5 student Merina. “And I’m proud to take action.”

Added fellow student Connor, “The most challenging part of Exhibition is all the research and putting together the display. But it’s worth it in the end because I’ve learnt so much and feel proud about presenting my work.”

The Grade 5 Exhibition spans a full 8 weeks, and is a culmination of years of learning for PYP students.

“The Exhibition shows us the type of people are students are about to become, and the impact they will have on the world they will live in,” says Upper Elementary Principal Clare Johnstone.

“I am the very proud Principal of these students, because I know they will create a future that we will all be very proud to be a part of.”

Ready to set your child on an exciting path of inquiry and discovery? Book a tour of Stamford American or apply online today. Limited spaces still available in 2019!

Stamford American International School, 1 Woodleigh Lane (off Upper Serangoon Road), Singapore 357684, Tel: (+65) 6602 7247, www.sais.edu.sg