More than 300 people came to Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) on April 22 to listen as Grade 5 students presented the culmination of their learning in elementary xchool. Students in the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) presented projects in which they are required to select a local or global issue and spend six weeks creating real-life solutions. Throughout the six weeks, students spent hours listening to guest speakers, identifying interests and passions, finding mentors, researching, taking action, finding solutions and then reflecting on their work. Two students made a video to profile all of their classmates’ different projects. Some of those projects included: “Protect the Oceans,” “Special Kids Special Care,” “Action on Global Poverty,” “Poaching of Endangered Animals in China,” and “Bully Busting Squad.”

“The Grade 5 PYP Exhibition is a milestone in students’ learning,” Elementary School Principal Casey Cosgray told families and friends of Grade 5 students. “Many of the middle school and high school students who gave TED talks (at the recent TEDxYouth@WAB event) referred to their Grade 5 Exhibition as a milestone in their lives.” See more photos from the event below.

Photos: Courtesy of WAB