Sunflowers, Saturn, and startups inside the MYP-5 exhibition

At Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, the theme for the MYP-5 students: Illuminate, Explore, Engage, Evolve, embodied the true spirit of the IB philosophy, where learning was driven by inquiry, reflection and purposeful action. The MYP Personal Project and e-Portfolio represent a defining milestone in the IB journey, challenging students to investigate personal interests, apply research skills and think independently. More than a showcase, this exhibition reflected growth, resilience and the confidence to translate ideas into meaningful, real-world impact.

What made the exhibition especially compelling was hearing students articulate the thinking behind their Personal Projects and e-Portfolios. The exhibition commenced with the cutting of the ribbon by the MYP-5 students. As they spoke about their choices and breakthroughs, the depth of their learning became evident not just in the final display but in the journey they undertook.

Smera Sachdeva, in her Personal Project, explored the theme of decay as beauty through detailed studies of sunflowers, experimenting with acrylics, water colours, pencil colours and 3D sculpture. “Inspired by Anselm Kiefer, I portrayed hope emerging from darkness, reflecting my own fears about change as I transition to DP and understanding that transformation can lead to growth. For my e-Portfolio, I deepened my long-standing interest in astronomy by observing Saturn through a telescope, studying its distinctive ring system and learning about its recently discovered additional moons,” she said.

Harrjas Khurana, for his Personal Project, developed Aquaponics, building on his earlier MYP-4 research on hydroponics and his interest in keeping fish. “I created a sustainable system where fish waste rich in ammonia is converted by bacteria in LECA pellets into nutrients for plants like spinach, forming a continuous cycle. I carefully planned plant and fish selection, monitored water parameters and managed disease challenges. For my PHE e-Portfolio, I analysed my client’s body type and technique, conducted benchmark tests and designed a training plan to improve his agility, grip and smash power in badminton,” he shared.

For her Personal Project, Saanvi Sharma chose embroidery, a craft passed down from her grandmother to her mother, and used it to continue her family legacy while challenging the stereotype that it is only for older generations. “My research was supported by interviews and guidance from my mother and experts, but the creation process was more demanding, especially working with thinner fabric that made stitching difficult. For my e-Portfolio, under the theme ‘embracing uniqueness’, I explored cultural identity, gender, selfhood and emotional polarity, highlighting unity within difference and how diverse narratives connect emotions across cultures,” she explained.

Ada Bharti, for her Personal Project, explored earthen pottery as a sustainable and health-conscious alternative to Teflon-coated cookware, inspired by her mother’s artistic background and her interest in traditional practices. “After initially planning a compost bin, I shifted my product midway due to sustainability concerns and created a detailed research booklet supported by surveys and expert insights. For my e-Portfolio under ‘embracing uniqueness’, I investigated belongingness through installations inspired by Jean Rene, Angelica Dass and Jean Michel Basquiat, exploring identity, shared humanity and expression while strengthening my research and communication skills.

Ariham Jain, on the other hand, chose Blockchain for his Personal Project; he has developed a website that secures uploaded documents through hash encryption, allowing users to detect any changes. “Although I initially planned to integrate a real Blockchain, I replicated its functionality using Google Sheets due to cost constraints, coding the platform independently and resolving debugging challenges. For my PHE e-Portfolio in basketball, I acted as a coach, conducting interviews, match analysis and benchmark tests to design a five-week training plan focused on improving my client’s shooting, strength and confidence during games,” he shared.

For his PHE e-Portfolio, Arjun Sharma chose weight training and followed four structured tasks, beginning with a detailed client interview covering lifestyle, nutrition and past injuries, along with benchmark tests to assess his level within his age bracket. “I designed a five-week training plan, created a credibility video showcasing my own progress and reflected on measurable improvement through comparative testing. For my Personal Project, driven by my goal to understand how a profitable e-commerce business works, I built a fully functional website, Gamored, selling gaming and laptop accessories, refining my target audience after market research and drawing from my early exposure to entrepreneurship and coding,” he explained.

Art on a Plate was Ryan Khetrapal’s Personal Project. He created a cookbook for teenagers featuring over 10 healthy, nutritionally balanced and easy-to-prepare recipes from around the world, addressing the growing issue of unhealthy snacking. “Inspired by my early interest in cooking, I carefully designed recipes while balancing calories and protein through research. For my PHE e-Portfolio in football, I worked as a coach for my client, conducting interviews, performance analysis and training plans, which strengthened my research, time management and interpersonal skills,” he shared.

Harshitha Khuurana, for her Personal Project, explored the evolution of calligraphy, a practice that she has pursued since childhood, by tracing its origins across cultures like Greek, Russian and Chinese traditions. “I created a detailed timeline and a script analysis chart, supported by primary research including over 50 survey responses and interviews with mentors, along with secondary sources. Through mind mapping, drafting and final execution, I examined how calligraphy is gradually declining despite its cultural depth. For my PHE e-Portfolio in badminton, I assessed my client through an initial match, conducted modified benchmark tests like the six corner footwork drill and designed an improvement pathway, strengthening my analytical and critical thinking skills.

Listening to the students articulate their process and growth made the depth of their journey unmistakable. It was this very ownership, reflection and confidence that resonated so strongly in the words shared by their parents.

Speaking at the exhibition, Anil Pahuja, father of Aryan, said, “The exhibition has been a meaningful learning journey for the children. For weeks, my son spoke about his personal project and e-Portfolio, and we finally saw the outcome of that consistent effort. I was especially impressed by projects with real-world potential, like the aquaponics and skill-based ideas. Aryan’s work on lesser-known Indian recipes reflected his genuine interest. Seeing students explore coding and practical ideas was truly satisfying.”

Sharing a similar experience, Kapil Bharti, father of Ada, shared, “I am genuinely impressed by how the exhibition has come together. The students have worked tirelessly, often under time pressure, yet the results are remarkable. Watching my daughter work on her paintings at home gave me insight into the dedication these projects demand. Seeing all the students confidently present their personal projects and e-portfolios today feels rewarding and reassuring as a parent.”

This entire project has been inspiring to witness, shared Ryan’s mother. “I clearly saw the hard work and thought each child had invested. The topics are innovative and often chosen according to personal interests, which makes every project meaningful. The attention to detail is commendable. My son’s Art on the Plate project reflects that individuality. What stands out most is that every project is unique, and each child has truly given their best,” she stated.

As the MYP-5 students step into the Diploma Programme, they carry with them more than completed projects. They carry the confidence to question, the discipline to persist, and the courage to turn ideas into meaningful action. Illuminate, Explore, Engage, Evolve was not merely a theme. It was a lived experience.