30.09.2022

“TOK Exhibition”: Students present research demonstrating creativity and critical thinking

In the first edition of the “Theory of Knowledge Exhibition”, the students of the 2nd year of High School (Y11) shared the results of the research and reflection process they developed during the production of their TOK “internal assessments”. The students had the guidance of teachers Marcus Salussi (TOK teacher), Karine Vairo (High School coordinator), Felipe Pregnolatto (CAS Coordinator and TOK co-teacher), and João Vitor Andrade (Guidance teacher and High School coordination assistant).

From a prompt selection, the students chose three objects to illustrate their arguments related to the chosen theme. Using a lot of creativity, reflection, and critical thinking, the students set up their stands and shared their ideas with the teachers and the students from 9th grade and 1st year of high school (Y9 and Y10).

According to the educators, the process of developing the project began to take place at the beginning of the school year. “The work lasted one semester. The students were introduced to the exhibition in the last class of the semester and had until the beginning of June to develop it with the teacher’s supervision.”

The educators also explained the relevance of the project to the students and how it impacts their development. “During the process of producing and presenting the exhibition, our students were able to apply the knowledge and skills developed so far in the TOK course, such as discussing the limits of knowledge, and the role of different perspectives in the construction of critical and creative thinking. These concepts and skills are fundamental for succeeding in IB – DP, and also in their university and professional lives,” explained Marcus Salussi.

The students selected a prompt from a list given by the IB. All of them featured topics related to the epistemology of knowledge. According to the teachers, the greatest difficulty encountered by the students was the choice of objects to be used in the exhibition. “Explaining the choice of objects and their relationship with the prompt demanded a lot of critical and creative thinking from our students,” said the educator. 

The event, which took place in Beacon’s amphitheater, was organized by the High School coordination assistant, Débora Gatti. During the presentation, the students involved explained their projects to other students and teachers who participated.