IBChangemakers: ‘Working on these projects improved my planning skills’

Personal Projects and the PHE e-portfolio are important parts of the IB curriculum because they encourage independent learning, research and reflection. Through these experiences, students apply knowledge in real contexts, develop critical thinking and planning skills, and learn to evaluate their progress and growth.

In this interaction, Ariham Jain from MYP-5 at Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, provides an overview of his Personal Project and reflects on the process and learning involved in his PHE e-portfolio.

What was your Personal Project about?

It focused on blockchain, a technical system used to secure information online. I developed a website where users can upload documents and generate a hash, an encrypted string of characters. Similar to how passwords are stored securely, this hash allows users to detect any changes made to the document later.

Why did you choose blockchain as your topic?

When I was looking for different topics, I was reading about cryptocurrency and came across the term blockchain. It really sparked my curiosity. After that, I started reading more about it and learning how it works. The idea for my project also came from my supervisor, who helped guide me toward developing the concept further.

What challenges did you face while working on the project?

One of the main challenges was that I had to code my website on my own, which led to many debugging errors during the development process. There were also some limitations related to the product itself. When I initially planned the project, I intended to display the documents on a real blockchain. However, during my research, I found out that using a real blockchain requires payment. Since this was just a high school project, I did not find it feasible to spend that much money. Because of this, my website, at present, replicates the functioning of document verification. Instead of storing the data on a blockchain, the documents are stored in a Google Sheet, which is free to use.

What is something people should know about blockchain?

It is used widely in online transactions, in password systems and in storing important documents online. It plays a role in securing information in many digital systems.

What did you do for your PHE e-Portfolio?

I had to take a client and act as a basketball coach. The goal was to design a training plan based on an interview, performance analysis and benchmark tests. I first interviewed the client to understand his personal preferences, strengths and weaknesses. Then I analysed his performance during a match to observe how he played. After that, I conducted benchmark tests, which are drills that assess the skills of the client. Based on these observations, I set goals for improvement.

What did you learn from the training plan?

This project improved my analysis skills and communication skills because I had to work closely with the client and evaluate his progress. It also improved my planning skills, since I had to design and organise the entire training programme, and it expanded my knowledge of the sport.