The introduction of the Personal Project to Year 10 students during the spring term means the start of an important phase in their learning. All students who follow the Middle Years Programme (MYP) are required to complete a Personal Project in the final year of the programme. The project is a significant piece of independent work and is completed over an extended period.
The Personal Project, designed by the IBO (International Baccalaureate Organisation), gives students in the last year of MYP the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired over the five year course. The project must allow the students to investigate and focus on a theme, topic or issue closely connected to at least one of the five Areas of Interaction. Approaches to Learning (ATL) is the key area of interaction for the project, as this area is concerned with the development of study skills, communication and organisational skills. These ATL skills will be reflected in all projects. Most projects as well as reflecting ATL skills, will focus on one or more of the other areas of interaction which are: Community and Service, Health and Social Education, Environment, and Homo faber.
Students get to choose the topic for their project. Neither the topic nor type of project is prescribed. It should be based on the students’ own interests. Choosing something they really want to do is important, as they will be working on the project for some time. There is a wide range of possibilities from which to choose. For example: create an original work of art, write a piece of work on a special topic, create a piece of literary fiction, carry out an experiment, organise an event, develop a business plan, or do something completely different.
Once the students have submitted a proposal for the project, they are assigned a supervisor who will guide them and monitor their progress throughout the process. The supervisor will also, in conjunction with the other supervisors at the school, assess the final project. The projects are internally assessed at school and the supervisors’ assessment is externally moderated by the IBO. A grade 3 is the minimum requirement for the award of the MYP Certificate.
Each student in Year 10 receives a Personal Project Guide and a Journal. As well as having information on the requirements of the project and how it will be assessed, the Guide is also a book for planning, and recording progress of work and meetings with the supervisor. The Journal, a simple work book, must be used as a log book for recording all thoughts, decisions and actions that relate to the development of the project. Students are advised that both the guide and the journal must be used as intended and not mislaid.
If you would like to view our MYP Personal Project Guide, please click on the following link;
Ms. Ioana Howland
MYP Personal Project Coordinator
