Why is the PYP Exhibition an Essential Part of the PYP?

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) Exhibition is a significant milestone for students in the PYP
and plays a crucial role in their transition to the Middle Years Programme (MYP). It offers students a
platform to demonstrate their understanding of global and local issues through an in-depth,
student-led inquiry and showcase their skills in articulating this to an audience beyond their
immediate peers, school and familiar community.

The PYP Exhibition is designed to foster and develop some of the core ‘Approaches to Learning’,
skills that the IB identify as being critical elements in preparing students and young people for the
challenges of the 21st century. These research, communication, social, self-management and thinking
skills are put to the test in a well organised and structured manner that also emphasises the
importance of individual and collaborative student agency. The exhibition is designed as a showcase
that equips students with the vital academic and life skills, affording them the opportunity and the
platform to become risk-takers to integrate and showcase what they have learned throughout their
PYP journey in a safe and supportive environment. Transforming knowledge into meaningful action
and creating an environment in which they have tangible impact on their immediate and hopefully
the global community.

AIA's Approach and Top Tips on Preparing Students for the PYP Exhibition:

At AIA, we nurture students’ readiness for the Exhibition by steadily building their ATL skills
throughout the PYP. Inquiry-based learning, reflection and collaboration are deeply embedded in our
daily teaching practices, ensuring students feel confident and capable. Students from our youngest
KG classes are prepared to and well versed in presenting their work to each other, teachers and
families and the performances that they are all involved in ignites the lifelong journey of developing
the skills and confidence they need when being presented with the challenge and expectation of
speaking in front of an audience

Top Tips for Choosing a Theme or Topic:

1. Follow Their Passion: Encourage students to choose topics they care about to maintain high engagement. There is no right or wrong—only personal and collective perspective. The expectation is that their chosen topic is one they believe in and are passionate about, striving to lead change and reform.

2. Connect to Real-World Issues: We guide students to explore topics linked to global and local challenges. In the AIA context, these are driven by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

3. Ensure Feasibility: Teachers from across the school are appointed as mentors to support students in refining topics that make them researchable and actionable within the given timeframe.

4. Encourage Inquiry and Action: The most meaningful topics, with which students connect, allow deep exploration and the potential for impactful actions.

5. Collaborate and Seek Feedback: Peer discussions, supported by mentors, encourage and expect both individual and collaborative problem-solving to overcome challenges. These are invaluable in helping students sharpen their focus.

Overcoming Challenges in the PYP Exhibition

By design, students will face obstacles and challenges during the PYP Exhibition process. The focus, by offering the right level of support, is to employ a growth mindset and view these challenges as opportunities for reflection and improvement. At AIA, the process is structured to support all learners in identifying and overcoming the following obstacles:

• Time Management: Structured timelines and checkpoints help students balance research, presentation, and action.

• Research and Inquiry Skills: Workshops on research techniques, source evaluation, and academic integrity empower students.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Teachers and mentors facilitate productive group discussions as a critical element of the process. Appreciating others’ perspectives and accepting different ideas foster understanding and empathy.

• Presentation Confidence: Practice sessions and peer feedback build students’ public speaking and presentation skills. This starts in KG and continues throughout the process with more formal mini-exhibitions taking place throughout the PYP.

• Taking Action: Aspirational but realistic goal-setting, connecting with relevant organizations or experts within the community and beyond, guiding students toward producing achievable, high-quality outcomes.

Assessing Success in the PYP Exhibition

At AIA, we evaluate the success of the PYP Exhibition through both formative and summative assessments. These are shared and explained to students at the beginning of the process and are key drivers in identifying areas of progress, success, and reflecting on skills and attributes to further develop.

Key criteria include:

• Depth of Inquiry: Meaningful research and diverse perspectives.

• IB Learner Profile Attributes: Demonstrating these attributes in all actions. These include being knowledgeable, high-quality communication, being principled, and reflective.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Managing group dynamics and sharing responsibility to overcome disagreements. This includes developing the skills of compromise and empathy.

• Presentation Skills: Clear articulation of findings across various formats, including multi-media and written forms, highlighting the multitude of skills present within the team.

• Real-World Action: Translating research into impactful solutions or advocacy for problems driven by students’ passions. The aim is to create lasting solutions that have an impact at both local and global levels.

• Self-Reflection: Insight into personal growth, identifying challenges, and recognizing personal ambitions and future goals.

Celebrating the Rewards of the PYP Exhibition

As could be anticipated, in light of the hard work, effort, and creativity on display, the PYP Exhibition is a truly transformative journey for everyone involved. It is hugely rewarding for students and teachers but also bears significance to parents and families, who witness the blossoming of their children, their educational decisions, and the confidence they have in the IB structure and philosophy.

Its most rewarding aspects include:

• Empowering Students: Watching them take ownership of their learning, grow in confidence, develop grit and determination, and thrive in the face of challenges.

• Real-World Impact: Witnessing student agency in contributing positively to their local and global communities.

• Showcasing Achievements: The final exhibition celebrates hard work, creativity, and determination, embedding the ‘I can’ and growth mindset that is integral to future success.

• Fostering Connections: The whole process strengthens bonds among students, teachers, parents, and external experts—creating opportunities that might not have been available otherwise.

• Building Lifelong Skills: Students develop essential abilities like research, collaboration, and critical thinking that prepare them for future success. They become independent, lifelong learners, regardless of their vocational pathways.

Memorable PYP Exhibitions at AIA

Over the years, AIA students have delivered remarkable exhibitions, such as:

• Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Living: Tackling plastic pollution, students initiated a school-wide reduction campaign and partnered with local organizations. They led a beach cleanup drive, an upcycling process at school, and significantly reduced disposable plastic consumption.

• Mental Health Awareness in Schools: A group created a mindfulness toolkit and advocated for well-being practices, which were later adopted into the school’s program, continuing to impact student well-being to this day.

• Healthy Screen Time Habits: By exploring the effects of excessive screen use, students developed a guidebook and led workshops for peers and parents. Their work allows the school to manage screen time effectively and ensure the ethical use of technology, including AI.

The PYP Exhibition exemplifies the spirit of inquiry, action, and student agency, reflecting AIA’s mission to Inspire, Inquire, and Innovate. It stands as a testament to the school’s ambition to recognize the potential of learners to create meaningful change in the world. It upholds the principles of the IB in fostering engaged, caring, lifelong learners with a passion for overcoming challenges and becoming true global citizens.