PYP Exhibition: Inspiring A Learning Community

Tara Farr,
Grade 5 Teacher/Grade Level Coordinator

The IB PYP Exhibition journey is an experience for Grade 5 students to demonstrate a collaborative, culminating celebration of learning.

Great things often begin as small endeavors, and if you visited this year’s Grade 5 PYP Exhibition, you know exactly what I am talking about! The students kicked off their six week long journey on 18 April, with the PYPX Launch Day. That was the day when collaboration began and students started imagining what their projects could look like on the actual presentation day. Classrooms were buzzing with excitement as partnerships formed, ideas generated, emails were exchanged, and the journey began!

The exhibition is inquiry-led but structured support from teachers and mentors emerged as a key factor in giving students space and freedom to make decisions, organize flexible scheduling and conduct inquiry based on a passion. Our learning community provided endless support of knowledge, expertise and life lessons that students will take with them in future endeavors.

This year, issues and passions ranged from the history of cakes to the future of transportation,  the science behind vaccines and decisions that can be made to ensure sustainable future generations. 

We all were amazed with the depth of learning that took place and the ways that students navigated their way through weeks of mentorship meetings, time management, and making positive contributions to the local community.

The exhibition is a valuable and pivotal experience in the life of our students, our school, and our community. Having taken part in this journey with our students, confirms our love of teaching and our passion for shaping a better world.