On May 25, 2016, Mackintosh Academy Littleton 6th graders presented their International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Exhibition projects to parents, teachers, faculty, staff, and students. Exhibition is the culmination of the Primary Years Program (PYP) and in the words of Joe Pausback, 5/6 teacher, “These students have moved from ExPYPs to Experts.”
These 6th grade students are making the transition from the primary years to the middle school years and by completing this capstone project put into action the IB learner profiles of inquirer, thinker, principled, open-minded, caring, and risk-takers. Students were assigned mentors to assist with these projects and this relationship helped students learn additional real-world skills of responsibility, accountability, and professionalism as they had to arrange, and keep meetings weekly with these adults.
This year, Mack Littleton students partnered with students on the Mackintosh Academy Boulder campus to develop their theme. Students chose the interdisciplinary theme “How We Organize Ourselves.” Specifically, for Exhibition, students crafted the line of inquiry: “Civilizations can use technology to alleviate world problems.” Sharon Muench, Curriculum Coordinator, Joe Pausback and Nancy Muhich, 5/6 teachers guided the students through their inquiry and collaboration.
For 11 weeks, these students researched, met with their mentors, collaborated with faculty, and developed their first real research paper. Students grappled with such topics as:
- Great Pacific Garbage Patch
- Food Waste
- UAVS are Changing the World
- Ocean Trash and Plastic
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Colony Collapse Disorder
- What are Female Leaders Made Of?
- Coral Reefs
- Girls Education in Sub Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia
- LGBT Rights in Education
- Women in Sports
- Polar Bears and Climate Change
- Hunger in Africa
The level of inquiry and depth of thinking is evident throughout a Mackintosh Academy education. The Exhibition is when students take their first steps into a larger world of inquiry, learning, and growth.
Samara Rasmussen
Director of Development