The Middle School IB Programme

"There must be no barriers for freedom of inquiry... There is no place for dogma in science. The scientist is free, and must be free to ask any question, to doubt any assertion, to seek for any evidence, to correct any errors." 

- J. Robert Oppenheimer

What is an IB Inquirer? 

IB learners strive to nurture their curiosity, develop skills for inquiry and research. They know how to learn independently and with others. They learn with enthusiasm and sustain their love of learning throughout life. 

Why is inquiry important in education?

Inquiry based learning taps into students’ curiosity and interests. They are encouraged to explore topics individually, in pairs or small groups which creates engagement and motivation. Inquiry frames the written taught and assessed curriculum in the MYP. Teachers use structured inquiry so students can explore complex problems. Inquiry based learning supports young people to develop critical thinking skills as they evaluate information from different perspectives and sources. Inquiry is an important skill in the workplace as it requires curiosity, passion and the ability to think critically.

An overview of the Year 6 inquiry project 

Year 6 students recently undertook an inquiry into the Elizabethan period. The purpose of this inquiry was to help generate background knowledge and understanding of the time that William Shakespeare was writing in. Working in pairs or groups of three they were able to select a topic that tapped into their curiosity such as ‘crime and punishment’ or ‘disease and medicine’ or ‘hobbies and entertainment’. They then had to explore their chosen topic through a variety of sources, critically select information to present visually and in an informative speech to the class.