Global Context and the Personal Project Goals

I recently started working at the International School of Stuttgart. Just over a week ago, I accepted the position of Personal Project Coordinator too. Last Wednesday I did some training for the MYP teachers at the school. It is always difficult coming into something not at the start (The students started their PP at the end of Grade 9) and it is hard not knowing what teachers already know - BUT I have received positive feedback, so will share my little training session with you!

The week before I had worked with Grade 10s, to make sure that their goal was:
1. Not focussed on the product/outcome
2. The Global Context was a key part of their project, not an after-thought.
After doing that session with Grade 10, I asked 'how many of you are sure the Global Context you picked is still the right one?' - only a few students raised their hands!

My session for teachers was basically the exact same session, so that they would know exactly what I had gone over with the students.

I added two different activities.
 
1. After going through the examples showing how a project about cars could look very different explored through different Global Contexts - I had teachers imagine how a project about cookbooks could also look very different!

Scientific & Technical Innovation

• Cooking with a solar power lamp
• The impact of sterilisation techniques on mass food production
• The impact of GMO's on weight gain in America
• Cooking on a Trangia (Duke Expedition Cook Book)!
• Explore the relationships of certain recipes as kitchen appliance technology has developed over time
• Explore the impact of technical innovations in the coffee industry and it's process and development.
• Explore the old cooking assumption of 'the best way to cook a steak' through the science experiments.

Orientation in Space & Time

• Learn how geographical location influences diet by creating a regional cooking.
• Explore how American diets have evolved over time
• Looking at the single development of a single recipe as it is passed down between generations. What led to additions, extractions and process changes?
• The relevance of cookbooks in the modern kitchen
• Look at historic cooking methods
• War time recipes from my great grandma
• The evolution of national dishes throughout history
• How can you use local resources in a healthy diet?
• Explore how gender roles have evolved, related to how much time women spend in the kitchen

Fairness & Development

• Expensive kitchen, nice cookbooks, no food - how has the world developed.
• Finding the best methods to make recipes available to blind people (or people with other disabilities)
• An exploration of recipes which reflect the limited edible resources in developing countries
• Explore the value of free/reduced rate lunches for students in poverty
• Learn about the importance of breakfast clubs in schools for infants - look at solution to provide breakfast for all children.
• How does poverty influence diets in different countries (countries with different economic profiles)

Globalisation & Sustainability

• Review of food choices and impressions in multicultural environments
• Cooking off the grid (back to basics)
• Learn about food waste (and design a cook book that recycled 'food waste/scraps' for a more conscious consumer)
• Explore which ingredients have that least negative impact on the environment
• Focussing on local farmers and seasonal produce
• Focus on learning about recipes which can be made with food available at the local food bank
• Discovering recipes that have zero waste

Personal & Cultural Expression

• Exploring cultural specific spices in their use in various dishes
• Explore a variety of foods that have religious significance
• Exploring recipes in a particular country/region
• Unique recipes, using unusual ingredients

Identities & Relationships

• Exploring people's diet choices (vegan, gluten free, etc)
• Recipes from different family members, in different languages
• Recipes from different people from our school, showing different cultures
• Recipes that are used for different cultural ceremonies or holidays
• Learn how the design of a cookbook influences the audience
• learn how different recipes connect to social gatherings (and vice versa)
• Recipes for a happy life / the good life!

2. At the start of the session I had teachers imagine they were doing a Personal Project - what would it be about? At the end of the session, they shared their ideas with the group on MentiMeter

• Designing a car which is user-friendly for deaf drivers
• Learn how to build a dug out canoe
• learn about Mexican embroidery and it's symbolism
• Gather reflective stories from teachers about their first year of teaching
• Learn how geographical location impacts regional dishes, by making a 'local eats' cook book
• Research and design the 'ideal school' for the modern student
• Exploring the history of oriental dance - a means of female expression
• Learn how to build a sense of belonging and community for refugees, by starting a community centre 
• Learn about preservation of a historic site
• A digital baby book for third culture kids
• Learn the best way to take care of cats (and make a book about it!)
• Learn how online tools can can aid all types of learners
• How culture effects your preference in automobiles
• Explore how colour and fashion choices woman in Zambia make and how it has evolved over time

I really enjoyed running this session and was excited to see the teachers ideas.
Here is the presentation I used - feel free to make a copy and use this in your own schools.