IBChangemakers: ‘The projects led to hands-on learning experiences’

Personal Projects (PP) and the PHE e-Portfolio form a meaningful part of the IB curriculum as they provide students the space to explore their interests with purpose and depth. In Harrjas Khurana’s case, as an MYP-5 student at Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, these experiences translated into hands-on learning, where curiosity about sustainable systems and sport came together with research, planning and reflection.

In this candid interview, he not only applied his knowledge in real situations but also developed the ability to think critically, solve problems and track progress over time.

What inspired you to choose Aquaponics as my Personal Project?

As a child, I thoroughly enjoyed keeping fish, and I wanted to explore ways to make farming more environmentally friendly. My MYP-4 research was on Hydroponics, so this felt like a natural extension of that interest.

What is aquaponics and how does it work?

Aquaponics is a branch of hydroponics where, instead of artificial fertilisers, fish waste is used. The waste contains ammonia, which is converted by bacteria into nutrients that plants can absorb. I built a system where water from the aquarium flows into a grow bed filled with LECA pellets. These pellets contain bacteria that convert ammonia into usable nutrients. The filtered water then flows back into the aquarium, creating a continuous cycle.

What kind of planning was involved?

I carefully planned the selection of plants and fish. For instance, I chose to grow spinach and selected fish that would suit the system. I also had to ensure that the setup supported both plant growth and fish health.

What challenges did you face?

Maintaining water parameters was challenging. I also faced issues with fish disease when unhealthy fish affected the system, and I had to treat them with medication. I learnt how to manage a sustainable ecosystem by balancing plant and fish needs. It also gave me practical insight into maintaining systems and solving real-world problems.

Who was your client for the e-PHE project?

For my e-Portfolio, I worked with a client for badminton training. I created a client profile and assessed his physical condition. I found that he was slightly overweight, which helped me plan an appropriate badminton training approach.

What kind of analysis did you conduct?

I conducted benchmark tests and analysed his techniques while playing badminton. I also studied his form while hitting the shuttle. I observed that his form in badminton was not very strong, but he was still able to generate sufficient force in his smash.

How did you design the training plan?

I designed the plan based on his body type and performance needs, aiming to improve his agility and technique in badminton. I focused on improving his grip, form, and smash technique in badminton to enhance power and overall performance as well.