Univesity Laboratory School Presents PYP Presentation

Fifth-Grade Students Share Research Findings, Understanding of Global Issues

Louisiana State University Laboratory School fifth-grade students in the final year of the International Baccaulareate Organization’s Primary Years Programme presented the “PYP Exhibition” in May 2008.

The Exhibition, the culmination of several months of research, demonstrated students’ accomplishments through their engagement in the Primary Years Programme, and marked the completion of an extended, collaborative inquiry project which is student-driven with teacher guidance. The fifth-graders met weekly during the school day to work on their small group projects.

The focus of this year’s Exhibition was “Knowledge and understanding of global issues may provide the impetus for responsibility and action in our world community.” The Programme coordinator Christelle Thompson said, “The variety and range of topics they selected, such as child labor, pollution, global warming, endangered animals, and world hunger provide many opportunities for the students to explore areas that interest them and that, in and of itself, makes the Exhibition process significant, challenging, relevant, and engaging.”

Elementary principal Dorothy Rumfellow added, “The students are encouraged to reflect on what they are learning, considering a role they could play, their responsibility in their selected global issues, and possible actions they could take.”

The University Laboratory School is the only school in the state of Louisiana authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme. In the International Baccalaureate North American region, the Lab School is one of only seven schools authorized for the entire K–12 IB continuua.