Written by: Ahmar
Edited by: Leyla
Every year, ISM Grade 11 students participate in a collaborative science project filled with innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving. This initiative brings together students from different sciences to collaborate to complete the project successfully.
The project requires the engagement of six different science departments: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sports Science, Environmental Social Sciences, and Computer Science, giving students a holistic perspective to reflect on the problem they aim to address. Working within the various science disciplines, the students create solutions for complex issues such as designing eco-friendly and energy-efficient systems.
As Mr. Mawer, Chemistry teacher and Program Leader for the HS Science Department, said, “The Collaborative Sciences Project is an interdisciplinary sciences project, providing a worthwhile challenge to DP and addressing real-world problems – such as those found in the UN Sustainable Development Goals – that can be explored through the sciences.”
The best moment in the project is when students present their research and designs. This presentation displays the students’s effort and how they are able to integrate disciplines from all science fields into a greater idea.
Students praised the project, appreciating the opportunity to contribute their own unique perspectives and further develop their insights into how separate areas of sciences work and how they might be integrated with other disciplines. This sentiment was carried by Julian as he “had a lot of fun” working with a variety of people and “got to see how people from other sciences worked and took action.”
The Grade 11 students have a preliminary meeting before the actual day of the Project to give them a chance to get to know their group members and decide on their questions. On the day itself, they spend time brainstorming, doing research, collecting data and getting ready to present their idea to their peers. This truly is a wonderful opportunity to connect with new people and make life-lasting connections whilst learning more about real-world issues.
