Personal Project Evening

Sophie M., Editor and co-founder|May 22, 2015

On the evening of Monday the 10th of May, the school cafeteria played host to the Personal Project evening, the annual showcase of the year-long 10th grade assignments. Parents and students were offered the opportunity to look at the plethora of student projects.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 10 shortlisted projects for the Tagore Award, an annual recognition of outstandingly creative work presented by the Indian Embassy. The nominees were Stine S., Priya B., Isabelle A., Isabelle Ö., Kresimir K., Iiris T., Madison M., Madelaine C., Philip S. and Faith M..

Four of the nominees tell The Quirky Quibbler about their project:

Stine S.

For my personal project, I designed a couple of innovative technologies which can benefit the soccer community in the future. I chose this topic because, I play soccer myself and think soccer stadiums are really interesting structures, and how they adapt with the constant introduction of new technologies within the sport is really impressive.

My advice to next year’s tenth graders would be to choose a topic which really means something special to you. Something that you really burn for.

Stine's stadium. (Image courtesy of Arthur Chan) — Stine’s stadium. (Image courtesy of Arthur Chan)

Priya B.

I did a 10 min 27 seconds documentary about what the young Indians of today know about the culture and history of their country.

Well, my dad gave me a HUGE lecture about how us young Indian children (Who have been studying in abroad since a kid) know nothing about Indian culture and history. My dad talked about how modern technology has diverted us from knowing about our culture. He gave me a perspective of how he feels towards me not knowing about my culture and history. The speech he gave really made me thinking, is that really what all the Indian parents think about their children? Are we really being diverted by the new technologies? Is it that important for us to know about Indian history? So yeah, that’s how everything started. In conclusion I would say that my dad inspired me to choose this topic.

I would tell them [the future 10th graders] to start thinking about what they want to do for the personal project from now on. I would also tell them to hand in their work on time (NEVER MISS A DUE DATE OR ELSE YOUR PERSONAL PROJECT WORK WOULD PILE UP WITH OTHER HOMEWORK!!!).

Priya's video. (Image courtesy of Arthur Chan) — Priya’s video. (Image courtesy of Arthur Chan)

Madelaine C.

For my personal project I wrote my own adaptation of A Christmas Carol and later made it into a movie. I did this to inform children that there are families in the world who are struggling to survive and to be grateful for the opportunities they have.

What inspired me to choose this topic was that during Christmas time, most children think about the gifts that they get, and not what they are giving. I have a deep passion for drama, and I found that A Christmas Carol presented this topic very well. Then everything fit together, and I got my idea.

I would advise next years 10th graders to choose a topic in which they are passionate. That will make the project a lot simpler and a lot more fun to do. I found that doing this, I had a better attitude towards the project, and that I looked forward to working on it.

Madelaine's Christmas Carol. (Image courtesy of Arthur Chan) — Madelaine’s Christmas Carol. (Image courtesy of Arthur Chan)

Madison M.

My personal project is a vertical garden that is aimed at increasing the amount of growing space, especially in the urban environment. My project most impacts the school community as the garden currently lives at school.

I was inspired to choose this topic, as biology is an interest of mine. I felt that it would be fascinating to look at the different factors that go into an environment. I also find the actual process of building and designing fun.

I would advise next year’s tenth graders to choose a topic and product that will keep your interest for the entire year and that has multiple aspects to it. It is easier to write the report when you have more to write about. Choosing a project topic that has several different elements, aspects, or impacts will make it easier to analyse, reflect, and discuss, especially in regards to the global contexts.