The Personal Project commences in MYP year 4 and is completed in MYP year 5. At alphabet, MYP year 4 will come into effect from the academic year June 2021 to April 2022. MYP year 5 will commence in June 2022 to April 2023.
aLphabet will offer students the opportunity to engage in the personal project, commencing in MYP year 4 (academic year 2021-2022)
Schools offering an MYP programme including years 3, 4 and 5 may choose to offer students the opportunity to engage in both the community project and the personal project. The community project and the personal project are known together as MYP projects.
MYP projects are student-centred and age-appropriate, and they enable students to engage in practical explorations through a cycle of inquiry, action and reflection. This provides them with an essential opportunity to demonstrate ATLs skills developed through the MYP, and foster the development of independent, lifelong learners.
The aims of the MYP projects are to encourage and enable students to:
- Participate in a sustained, self-directed inquiry within a global context
- Generate creative new insights and develop deeper understandings through in-depth
investigation - Demonstrate the skills, attitudes and knowledge required to complete a project over an
extended period - Communicate effectively in a variety of situations
- Demonstrate responsible action through, or as a result of learning
- Appreciate the process of learning and take pride in their accomplishments
The Personal Project is a significant student-directed inquiry, produced in years 4 and 5, and completed during year 5 of the MYP. It provides an opportunity for students to select and produce a personal and creative work of their choice, and demonstrate skills they have developed through approaches to learning. This project offers students many opportunities for differentiation of
learning and expression according to their individual needs. The personal nature of the project is important. the project should be based around a topic that motivates and interests the student. The process of completing the personal project contributes to the development of students in different ways.
The MYP has a disciplinary focus where learning is made relevant and meaningful to students through the areas of interaction. Students develop their disciplinary knowledge, while becoming aware of the connections between subjects and the world outside the classroom. Along with the eight subject groups, the five areas of interaction form the core of the programme. Addressed through the subject groups, the areas of interaction provide contexts for learning and contribute to the holistic learning of the student. The student will need to investigate and focus on a topic through an area of interaction.
At the end of the personal project, students will engage in an ‘Exhibition’. The presentation of personal projects to the school community or wider community can be a positive experience for those involved. While an exhibition or presentation is not prescribed by the IB, it is recommended, because it can give an opportunity for others in the school to become aware of the richness and the diversity of talents of its students as well as gaining a better understanding of the MYP.
The personal project provides as preparation for the IB Diploma programme (DP).