A fusion of thought, art, and technology at Apeejay’s IB School exhibition

On April 7, 2025, Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, came alive with creativity, critical thinking, and innovation as students from the PYP, MYP, and DP stages of the IB continuum came together for a grand exhibition that celebrated learning in its most dynamic form. Held across various floors of the school building, the event was a vibrant showcase of the unique pedagogical approaches embedded in the IB curriculum.

The event was graced by the esteemed Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education and Dr Neha Berlia, Co-Family Business Owner, Core Board Member of the Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, and Pro-Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University. They were formally welcomed by the school’s Head Girl, Nia Lobo, and President, Vaishnavi Chaudhary, who presented them with bouquets.

Mr Purshottam Dutt Vashist, Principal of Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, then escorted Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr Neha Berlia to the PYP Exhibition, themed How the World Works: Sustainable Living on Earth. They were warmly welcomed by the PYP students and facilitators. At each exhibit, students enthusiastically explained their chosen themes and ideas. Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr Neha Berlia listened attentively, asked thoughtful questions, and offered valuable suggestions. Their encouraging feedback left the young learners inspired and excited. The interaction was both meaningful and memorable, with students gaining confidence and motivation from the appreciation and guidance they received.

Moving to the MYP Visual Arts Exhibition, which was bursting with colour, creativity, and imagination, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr Neha Berlia interacted with each student whose work was on display. The vibrant exhibition reflected the diverse artistic expressions and individual journeys of the students. It was then time for the formal inauguration of the CyberDynamics Lab. Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia accompanied by Dr Neha Berlia, and Mr Vashist, cut the ribbon.

Here, students enthusiastically shared the effort and inspiration behind their robotics. Rivan Berlia (MYP 4), Arjun Sharma (MYP 4) Neal Verma (MYP 1), and Vivaan Verma (MYP 1) explained the reasons for choosing their themes, the mediums they explored, and the emotions they hoped to convey. The students also showcased their talent in dance, music, vocal singing, and yoga as Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr Neha Berlia visited the dance, music, and yoga rooms.

 The exhibition culminated in the intellectually stimulating DP Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Exhibition themed Mindscape. The entire floor was transformed into a vibrant, immersive space, thoughtfully decorated to reflect the essence and themes of the TOK course. Each exhibit was meticulously curated, highlighting in-depth research, meaningful personal connections, and a strong grasp of knowledge frameworks. Students selected one prompt from a set of 35 (IA) and explored it using three real-life objects, each offering a unique perspective into their chosen theme.

Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr Neha Berlia interacted with the DP I and II students as they talked about their theme. Through real-life objects and thought-provoking questions, students showcased their personal insights and critical thinking, embarking on a creative and intellectual journey that seamlessly bridged classroom learning with everyday life — making abstract ideas both tangible and engaging.

Whether through art, installations, or thought-provoking questions, students demonstrated how knowledge, creativity, and curiosity intersect to shape a better future. The school transformed into a living canvas of ideas, where every corner echoed with the voices and visions of tomorrow’s change-makers.

Speaking about the exhibition Mr Vashist said, “Our recent PYP, MYP Visual Arts, and TOK exhibitions were a vibrant testament to the power of student-driven inquiry and creative expression. These events showcased not only the depth of knowledge our students possess, but also their remarkable ability to cultivate essential skills, from critical thinking and communication to artistic innovation. We witnessed the celebration of creativity, the honing of skills, and the holistic development of our students, embodying our commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals ready to engage with the world. These exhibitions are a powerful reminder that education is not just about learning facts, but about fostering a lifelong love of learning and discovery. It was also our distinct pleasure to host our esteemed Chairman, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, and Dr Neha Berlia, who graced the occasion with their presence and engaged in enriching interactions with our students, further inspiring their learning journey.”

Sharing their experience of interacting with Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr Neha Berlia, Surya Kapil of MYP 3 said, “President ma’am is incredibly charming and inspiring. She asked me how I created my painting, but mostly, she was just very warm and appreciative,” he said.

Arush Chawla from MYP 2 shared that his interaction with President ma’am was genuinely nice. “I found her thoughts and suggestions truly insightful. My project focused on a robot and an automation-based parking system. She appreciated the build and offered valuable feedback on improving sensor functionality, especially in detecting real vehicles. Her input helped me understand how to refine the system and its potential impact on the evolving global parking economy, he said.

Aaditya Nath Mathur’s (MYP 5), design portfolio based on the statement of inquiry: Healthy practices can shape our being. “My project focused on teen well-being through informed decision-making. Ma’am appreciated the thoughtfulness and loved the user-centric approach,” he shared

Anandita Bhardwaj (DP 2) said, “Both President ma’am and Dr Neha Berlia were incredibly kind and insightful. We discussed how we perceive knowledge through the lens of TOK, and I was able to share my views on Human Sciences, especially Economics and Psychology. Their feedback was encouraging, and the experience felt truly rewarding,” she said.

Tani Bansal (DP I), Arahan Chaudhary (DP I), and Siddarth Irom (DP I) sharing their experience said, “President ma’am was cheerful and kind during our interaction. She inquired about our topic with genuine interest, and it was clear that she was well-informed and understood what we were trying to convey. It felt great to see her engaging deeply with our concepts,” Arahan said.

When I spoke about the Sanatani path and Ram Setu, President ma’am shared how she once introduced the moon landing to her maid, who didn’t believe it — drawing a parallel with my example. It showed she was actively listening and truly understanding our perspective,” Tani shared.

Siddarth also learnt a lot from his interaction. “When I mentioned India Gate, she immediately connected it to the memory of soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation. Her ability to relate our ideas to real-life experiences made the conversation meaningful and memorable,” he added.

“It was a very interesting experience. I got the opportunity to explain my product and how I used it. President ma’am gave me valuable feedback, pointing out how the tool could be used more effectively and for a wider range of applications. Initially, I thought it was only useful for shaping wood, but I realised it could also be used to create mounds and even chess pieces,” Harrjas Khurana of MYP 4 said.

Faraz Ahmad and Bhavya Dugar of DP I sharing their experience said,” Our interaction with President ma’am was quite playful and engaging. The way she analysed everything, asked thoughtful questions, and shared her point of view made the experience special. As presenters, it felt great to have someone genuinely interested in our work. Her questions made us feel like our efforts were valued, and it was truly fulfilling. She was very kind, and the interaction left me feeling confident,” they shared.

Nia Lobo (DP 2) shared that meeting Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr Neha Berlia was truly inspiring and made the exhibition experience memorable. “She appreciated their genuine curiosity and the depth of their questions, which encouraged students to reflect more deeply on their work,” she said.

Nia felt humbled and uplifted by President ma’am’s warmth and encouragement, especially during her interactions across all exhibition floors. At the PYP exhibition, Nia discussed AI and its ethical impact. In the art section, a meaningful exchange followed about whether technology has truly enhanced collaboration. Dr Neha Berlia shared her experiences using platforms like Zoom and asked students for their views. Nia, who guided visitors through the TOK section, found their insights eye-opening and deeply enriching.

Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia then interacted with the facilitators. “I want to thank you for the wonderful work that’s happening here. I know how much effort has gone into the exhibition — the dedication, the planning, the creativity. It’s visible in every corner I visited. I enjoyed myself so much. Thank you for creating something so meaningful. It was an absolute joy to witness,” Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia said.

Towards the end of the exhibition, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr Neha Berlia were presented with mementos.