PLEx Launch: Students Kick Off Innovative, Self-Directed Investigations

ICS students are jumping into self-directed projects aimed at learning new skills and acquiring new knowledge that goes beyond the school’s international curriculum.

The Personalized Learning Experience, or PLEx, is a unique program designed by ICS faculty and supported by the latest educational research, which gives students the opportunity to embark on a self-directed journey of investigation and action. PLEx extends from the elementary school through to Grade 10 and is adaptable to ensure the experience is supported with age-appropriate learning opportunities and guidance from teachers and experts.

In the High School, the program takes the form of a one-month experience. Leading up to the PLEx project time, students can brainstorm and workshop their project ideas and prepare for four weeks of in-depth, independent learning – procuring access to resources, experts, and tools they will need to succeed.

“Our overall goal with PLEx is to create an experience which inspires a growing love of learning among our students,” High School Teacher and PLEx Coordinator Ellie Clark said. “We know students learn better when they are engaged and feel connected to their studies.  So we begin by supporting students as they have fun exploring different interests and, once they are making progress, we tie in their projects to the more academically rigorous structures that will allow them to formalize their investigations and analyses.”

A team of High School students launched PLEx at an assembly on Monday. They kicked off the preparation phase of the program during which returning ICS students shared their successes from previous years’ PLEx projects and teachers delivered 60-second pitches designed to inspire students to think creatively about the projects they may want to pursue.

This year, students applied to join the team of PLEx organizers to collaborate with teachers and evolve the program into one which maximizes engagement, productivity, and impact.

“PLEx would be about working toward creating something that is not only supports the transition into my junior and senior years, but on top of that, it's also about really creating an impact in our community,” Grade 10 student Azzeria P. said. “It’s quite important that there is a strong foundation laid for students to pursue whatever goals they have.”

“I think PLEx is a wonderful opportunity to research and explore an interest in a fun but innovative way,” Grade 10 student Rebecka T. said. “I also believe it could help me develop skills that can be transferable to other areas of life and polish up the ones I already have.”

Projects from previous years covered a range of topics, including:

• the creation of an animated public service announcement about deforestation,
• an exploration of anthropology as a subject for a student’s future university studies and career,
• a self-study of coding and web design, which led to a student founding their own web design business with paying clients,
• registration into an online design course related to the software required for 3D printing,
• production of a film showcasing a student’s passion for acting and drama,
• the creation of a student-run website with published feature stories and profiles of people living in Addis Ababa,
• painting of murals related to raising awareness to global issues,
• and so many more.

On top of independent projects, students will also have opportunities to sign up for workshops run by teachers and industry experts related to different academic and life skills, like data gathering and analysis, creative writing, public speaking, and training in specialized software.

Students follow self-reflection processes and learn to create plans for future learning, setting up roadmaps to effectively access resources and contacts to continue progressing in their learning throughout their ICS journeys through to university and beyond.

In the Middle School, PLEx also focuses on student engagement and independent learning, but it takes a different form. Students work on their projects each Wednesday throughout the school year, taking part in a cycle of inquiry, action, and reflection tied directly to the International Baccalaureate’s Approaches to Learning skills, such as communication, self-management, creativity, and critical thinking.

The process guides through a sustained learning journey beginning with setting a goal and continuing into developing questions, carrying out research, and creating success criteria. Students create a living action plan and work one-on-one with teachers each week to progress through their PLEx projects, and teachers create tailored lessons linking directly to each individual student’s goals.

“A key element of this program is that students are learning how to learn,” Middle School Deputy Principal Cal Stuart said. “Success is not defined by their final product but by the process students take to master new skills that will serve them in the future and connect their interests to their academic pursuits.”

At the end of the school year, students will put their PLEx projects on display in an exhibition for parents and the ICS community. Mark your calendars and join us for the Middle School PLEx Exhibition on May 4 and the High School PLEx Exhibition on June 2. More details to come.

For more information about the innovative and unique learning opportunities at ICS, visit our Learn page.