Jane Medwell, Lucy Cooker, Lucy Bailey and Emily Winchip School of Education—The University of Nottingham
This study investigated the impact of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) exhibition on the development of students’ international-mindedness, critical thinking and attributes of the IB learner profile. The exhibition takes place in the final year of the PYP and is the culmination of a substantial piece of research involving group collaboration, inquiry, social action and a presentation to an audience. The study involved interviews; student, parent and teacher surveys; observation and document analysis in seven case study schools across five countries (Russia, China, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Kenya). Researchers found the PYP exhibition to be a valuable and pivotal experience in the life of the schools, families and students who were involved. Participants believed the exhibition helped to develop students’ critical thinking, international-mindedness and learner profile attributes. The reflections of teachers, mentors and students were at the heart of continual improvement of the PYP exhibition experience. However, it was clear that experienced
