The corridors of Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, came alive with creativity and innovation during their Annual Primary Years Programme (PYP) Exhibition themed ‘Sharing the Planet’. This event showcased the diligent efforts of students across various grades, highlighting their exploration of contemporary global issues and solutions.
The primary aim of this exhibition is to prepare students in PYP-5 for their transition into MYP-1, marking an important phase in their education journey. It commenced with a ceremonious ribbon-cutting, led by two students alongside the Principal of the school, Mr Purshottam Dutt Vashist. The atmosphere was vibrant, with the entire corridor transformed into an engaging display space adorned with portraits of the participating PYP-5 students.
The highlight of the event featured a captivating live band performance by students, showcasing their musical talents with guitars, piano, and drums which took place in the AV room of the school. The lyrics of their songs ingeniously addressed critical themes like Artificial Intelligence, cybercrime, food preservatives, animal cruelty, and sustainable agriculture, encapsulating the essence of ‘Sharing the Planet’.
Following the musical interlude, an interactive session unfolded with a thought-provoking short play performed by students. The play focused on daily-life issues, effectively engaging the audience and conveying important messages.
One of the standout projects was presented by Sushrut Patralekha, a meticulous PYP-5 student, who highlighted sustainable agriculture through a detailed project. The student demonstrated the entire food production process and showcased innovative methods like drip irrigation, emphasising the importance of sustainable practices in food production.
Regina and Vivaan, PYP-5 students, brought attention to animal cruelty through an impactful display. In close interaction with the students, it was revealed that they credited their comprehensive research, primarily utilising Google, which took weeks to compile into informative posters and exhibits. ‘I loved the poster-making part, the most’ Says, Vivaan.
Similarly, Sia Arora and Nishchay Koushik delved into the topic of food preservatives, creatively using empty wrappers from popular products like Amul Butter and Lays to educate visitors about associated health risks such as obesity, diabetes, and infertility.
The exhibition also featured Neal Verma and Soven Rajat’s exploration of cybersecurity, where they highlighted various types of cybercrimes, including phishing. Their interactive display included a questionnaire with multiple-choice questions and a pie chart, enhancing awareness about real-life cybersecurity challenges. Josiah provided insights into artificial intelligence (AI), discussing its benefits and challenges such as its impact on employment.
Mr Hanaf, the father of Regina, acknowledged the remarkable progress and dedication of the school’s teachers. He shared: “Regina never fails to surprise us. We are well aware of what’s happening at school but she never practices in front of us, which is why seeing her up on stage every time, gives me a proud-father feeling.”
Ms Shalini Fate, the PYP coordinator, emphasised the importance of hands-on learning and the integration of real-world issues into the curriculum. She praised the students’ hard work and depth of understanding, underscoring the exhibition’s success. ‘It was quite challenging to handle kids and help them mentor, but ultimately it was worth doing it. I am so happy and grateful that the exhibition came out well. At ASI, we always ensure to teach students concepts instead of motivating them to rote learn,” Ms Fate said.