Innovate & Excel

Are you ready to unleash your creativity and passion for learning? Discover Montessori School proudly presents “Innovate & Excel:  MYP Mini Personal Projects”, a thrilling competition designed to inspire and challenge 7th, 8th and 9th-grade students during the current academic year 2023-24 from primary schools, secondary schools or other educational institutions to embark on their projects.

Objective

The primary goal of the competition is to encourage students to delve into their personal passion, develop essential skills, and showcase their ingenuity through a Mini Personal Project. Aligned with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) criteria for personal projects, participants will explore real-world issues or pursue their passions, demonstrating their understanding and application of the MYP concepts and approaches to learning.

Examples of Possible Mini Personal Project Explorations

Organising a fundraising event or campaign to support a charitable cause or organisation that aligns with the student’s values and interests.

Designing and constructing a prototype for an innovative product or invention that solves a practical problem in the student’s community or beyond.

Writing and illustrating a children’s book that promotes cultural diversity, empathy, and understanding.

Developing a mobile application or website to address a specific societal problem, such as mental health support, recycling initiatives, or community volunteering opportunities.

Creating a documentary film that raises awareness about social justice issues such as inequality, discrimination, or access to education.

Designing and building a sustainable garden to promote environmental conservation and provide fresh produce for a local community.

Other Ideas and Examples

Understanding the basics of vegan eco-friendly makeup involves exploring makeup products that are both animal-friendly and environmentally sustainable. These products avoid animal testing and use plant-based or synthetic ingredients that are less harmful to the ecosystem.

Sustainable knitting delves into the use of eco-friendly fibers, such as organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and recycled materials. This practice aims to minimise environmental impact by choosing renewable resources and reducing waste.

Running shoes are designed to support the runner by providing cushioning, stability, and traction. They help to absorb impact, reduce the risk of injuries, and enhance performance through innovative materials and design.

An NFT, or Non-Fungible Token, is a digital asset that represents real-world objects like art, music, game items, and videos. They are bought and sold online, typically with cryptocurrency, and they are generally encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos.

Research on environmental photography focuses on capturing images that highlight environmental issues, natural beauty, and the human impact on the earth. It aims to raise awareness and inspire action towards conservation and sustainability.

Ancient Greek theatre and mythology study involves exploring the rich history of Greek plays and the mythological tales that inspired them. This includes understanding the themes, characters, and cultural significance of ancient Greek stories.

Travelling and sustainable journaling methods look into ways of documenting travels in an eco-friendly manner. This could involve using digital platforms or physical journals made from recycled or sustainable materials.

Creating a 3D model of a dream room allows for the exploration of interior design in a virtual environment. This project can incorporate sustainable design principles, such as energy-efficient lighting and eco-friendly materials.

Making homemade soap using natural and sustainable ingredients involves combining plant-based oils, lye, and natural additives like herbs, essential oils, and exfoliants. This process emphasises eco-friendliness and avoids harmful chemicals.

Designing eco-friendly packaging explores the use of recycled or biodegradable materials to reduce environmental impact. This can involve innovative design techniques to create packaging that is both functional and sustainable.

Creating a successful clothing brand that leads to profit requires understanding market demands, branding, and sustainable practices. This could include using eco-friendly materials, ethical manufacturing processes, and marketing strategies that highlight the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

Competition Format

Phase

Project Proposal

Participants will start by submitting a detailed proposal outlining their project idea, objectives and intended outcomes. This phase serves as an opportunity for students to receive feedback and guidance from mentors and teachers.

Phase

Project Development

Once proposals are approved, students will dive into the development stage of their projects. They’ll have the freedom to explore various resources, conduct research, and implement their ideas under the guidance of mentors.

Phase

Presentation & Exhibition

The culmination of the competition will involve participants presenting their completed projects to a panel of judges and peers. This platform will enable students to articulate their journey, share their findings, and highlight the impact of their projects.

Timeline of the Personal Project

Project Proposal Phase

Stage 1: Project Initiation and Topic Selection

Start with:

  • I wondered about…
  • I’ve always wanted to try…
  • I would really love to…
  • I can make the world a better place by…

Define:

  • 3 learning objectives

Stage 2: Development of a Plan

Defining research questions, objectives, methodology, and the necessary resources.

Project Development Phase

Stage 3: Research and Implementation

Gathering information from various sources such as books, articles, interviews, and experiments related to the chosen topic. Implementing your project.

Stage 4: Reflection and Evaluation

Students record their progress and reflections throughout the implementation stage, maintaining a journal, blog, or portfolio to document their journey.

Presentation and Exhibition

Stage 5: Participation and Exhibition

Students present their work. Students’ projects are assessed based on the MYP criteria for investigation, planning, action, reflection, and communication.

Participation Procedure

Participants in the Mini Personal Project competition can be 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students during the current academic year 2023-24 from primary schools, middle schools, or other educational institutions.

Participants must prepare a project to present to a jury or audience. Projects must be presented in written or visual format, requiring a clear description of the problem, proposed solutions, and the potential benefits of these solutions.

Projects can be presented in written, visual, or a combined format, including photographs, drawings, pictures, or essays.

Key Dates and Information

Project Start

29 March –
12 April 2024

Students can register to participate by submitting an online form.

Mentorship

Participants will have access to an online platform where they can share their progress, receive support, ask questions, and get guidance.

Final Submission

10 May 2024

Exhibition

16 May 2024

An opportunity to celebrate and showcase the hard work and creativity of the participants.

Judging Criteria

A jury will evaluate projects based on the following criteria:

Creativity and Innovation

The uniqueness and originality of the project idea.

Research and Investigation

The depth and breadth of research conducted to inform the project.

Planning and Execution

The effectiveness of planning and organisation throughout the project development process.

Reflection and Impact

The ability to critically reflect on the project’s process and outcomes, as well as its potential impact on the community or relevant stakeholders.

Communication and Presentation

The clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness of the presentation delivered by the participant.

Awards

A merit-based scholarship will be awarded to the winners of the competition. The scholarship aims to recognise and reward outstanding achievement, dedication, and innovation demonstrated through the Мini personal projects. Discover Montessori School вилл прожиде scholarships to the most successful participants (100% or 50% of the tuition fee) for the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) period of education.

Academic Integrity

All participants must adhere to the rules of the competition and act according to the principles of academic honesty, fairness, and respect.

Join the Journey

Are you ready to take on the challenge and bring your ideas to life? “Innovate & Excel” invites you to embark on a discovery, learning, and creativity journey. Unleash your potential and be part of an inspiring community of young people at Discover Montessori School.

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