Pre-conference workshops

Presented by Francesco Banchini, CEO and Director at European Azerbaijan School and Chairman and Founder of the Caucasus and Central Asia Association of IB World Schools.

Just as we encourage our students to collaborate, we also need to work together effectively towards a shared vision. As IB educators, we hold a belief in the mission and vision of the IB organization and of the schools in which we work, however individual interpretations of this vision can often lead to conflict and misunderstanding. This dissonance should not be avoided but rather managed and indeed embraced to create harmony. As leaders it is our craft and art to lead and manage the diverse teams in which we find ourselves. With our workshop, discover effective team-building strategies in international education. Explore team dynamics, communication, goal alignment, conflict resolution, and continuous improvement. Aimed at global educators, this interactive workshop equips participants with tools to foster collaboration and drive success through

Presented by: Stefanie Waterman, IB teacher and DP/PYP Coordinator.

This interactive workshop is designed for IB educators eager to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their teaching practice effectively. Through engaging demonstrations and hands-on activities, participants will explore practical applications of AI across IB subjects, emphasizing how these tools can enhance inquiry-based learning, creativity, and critical thinking. Topics include an overview of AI fundamentals, ethical considerations in education, and real-world classroom examples of AI-powered tools for research, assessment, and personalized learning. By the end of the session, participants will gain actionable strategies and resources to implement AI meaningfully in their IB classrooms.

Presented by: Bert Orgaer, IB PYP educator and IBEN workshop leader, and Simon Watkin, PYP educator at Copenhagen International School.

This interactive workshop offers a proven framework for guiding students through the inquiry process, making it ideal for kicking off the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) Exhibition. Participants will explore how to help students connect their passions to real-world problems and develop actionable projects using design thinking. By diving deeply into empathy, problem definition, creative ideation, and feedback, educators will learn how to scaffold meaningful learning journeys that empower student ownership.

The sessions include hands-on strategies such as the Passion Detective Experience and Crazy 8s, which help students identify meaningful actions and translate them into real-world impact. This approach has been successfully implemented in schools in Scandinavia, including the International School of Lund-Katedralskolan (Sweden) and Copenhagen International School (Denmark). Educators will leave with practical tools and adaptable methods to inspire agency and ensure meaningful outcomes in the PYP Exhibition and beyond.

Presented by Dimitra Milioni, Educational consultant, professional development leader, and motivational trainer

This workshop focuses on developing a cohesive school-wide curriculum by aligning skills, values, attitudes, and academic standards across educational levels and programs (IB and non-IB) using backwards planning. Participants will engage in discussions, collaborative planning, and reflective practices to ensure smooth transitions and coherence in their educational practices.

Presented by John Patton, IBDP Coordinator, University and Careers Guidance Counselor and Biology teacher at St. Gilgen International School, and Paul La Rondie, Middle Years Programme coordinator at St. Gilgen International School.

This interactive workshop will explore the transition from MYP (Middle Years Programme) to DP (Diploma Programme) focusing on four key areas:

• The narrative around MYP and DP
• The content knowledge and understandings gained in MYP classrooms necessary for DP success
• The skills transferred between both programmes
• The practicalities of helping students be successfully prepared for an engaging, meaningful and enjoyable IB experience

Suitable for MYP coordinators, DP coordinators, Heads of School, MYP and DP teachers, this workshop will facilitate opportunities to evaluate and reflect upon current practices, share and learn from others, and improve the experiences of our MYP and DP learners. Participants can expect to come away from this workshop with concrete examples and ideas to improve their programmes and specific strategies which can be implemented immediately in their schools to facilitate the transition between MYP and DP.

Presented by Agustina Lacarte, Curriculum development and member of the IB Educator Network.

This 5-hour workshop, "Inquiry in Action: Designing Deep, Student-Centered Learning Cycles," equips participants with the tools and strategies to design and implement inquiry-based learning experiences. Through a mix of hands-on activities, collaborative discussions, and reflection, attendees will explore the role of open-ended, concept-driven questions in fostering deep inquiry. They will learn how to empower student voice, differentiate inquiry for diverse learners, and create actionable inquiry cycles tailored to their classroom needs. Participants will leave with practical plans for implementing inquiry-based learning, along with strategies for engaging students and promoting agency throughout the inquiry process.

Presented by: Alex Green, Deputy Head

This session will use evidence based academic research to explore the key principles of assessment for learning from Dylan Wiliam and others. It will provide participants with the opportunity to explore the principles, identify the most effective strategies that relate to each principle and design assessment opportunities for students. There will be opportunities to question the fundamental assumptions of assessment, and the session will focus on formative assessment. The session will explore how effective formative assessment strategies can be used to increase student and staff wellbeing.

In this pre-conference session, participants will reflect on the importance for all community members to be aligned on, and promote, the value proposition of the IB programme and its impact on learning and teaching. As part of this process, participants will consider their individual and schools' IB stories to understand shared values of an IB education, generate a vision, and plan for how they will communicate the value of an IB education to strengthen collective identity.

In this pre-conference session, presented in Spanish, participants will reflect on the importance for all community members to be aligned on, and promote, the value proposition of the IB programme and its impact on learning and teaching. As part of this process, participants will consider their individual and schools' IB stories to understand shared values of an IB education, generate a vision, and plan for how they will communicate the value of an IB education to strengthen collective identity.

In this pre-conference session, presented in French, participants will reflect on the importance for all community members to be aligned on, and promote, the value proposition of the IB programme and its impact on learning and teaching. As part of this process, participants will consider their individual and schools' IB stories to understand shared values of an IB education, generate a vision, and plan for how they will communicate the value of an IB education to strengthen collective identity.