Exploring Minds, Shaping Futures in Middle School Podcast By cover art

Exploring Minds, Shaping Futures in Middle School

Exploring Minds, Shaping Futures in Middle School

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 Welcome to the WAB Podcast! In this episode, we're learning about Middle School Individuals & Societies. Joining us were Grade 6 student Justin, Grade 7 student Frederic, Grade 8 student Iris, along with their I&S teacher, Claudia Gomez. Claudia explains how Individuals & Societies goes beyond traditional social studies. Rooted in the IB Middle Years Programme framework, it’s an interdisciplinary, skills-based subject where students learn to: Formulate meaningful research questionsDesign and implement action plansReflect deeply on their learning journey This approach nurtures critical thinking, ethical action, and global awareness, preparing students for high school and a future shaped by complexity and change. What makes Individuals & Societies truly unique, Claudia noted, is its interdisciplinary nature. Students engage with history, geography, political science, economics, and psychology to understand how societies function, and how they can shape a better world. Real World Learning Our students shared how Individuals & Societies has influenced their learning across subjects and in their personal lives. Iris highlighted how the research skills she gained helped her distinguish fake news in her math and science projects. Justin found that the research and critical thinking skills he's developed are invaluable in debate competitions outside of school. Frederic appreciates how Individuals & Societies helps him understand the economic and political factors that shape history. The Individuals & Societies curriculum also centers on real-world issues through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students research topics like environmental, social, and economic sustainability, often conducting field studies within our school community. For example, Frederic studied the economic impacts of tourism, examining a whale shark tourism model in the Philippines. For the recent field studies, he chose to explore responsible consumption and production, focusing on how efficiently we use school supplies. While Justin focused on investigating the globalization of fast food and its effects on local economies, he shared that this made him realize how global businesses can hurt small restaurants and communities. Iris emphasized how Individuals & Societies has strengthened her ability to engage with current events. She also pointed out that through her learning, she could understand more about the news, discuss with her parents at the dinner table, and ask better questions. Curious About Middle School? Tune in to this episode to hear directly from our students about how Individuals & Societies is shaping their thinking, empowering their voices, and preparing them to face real-world challenges with ethical action and informed insight.  
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