Showcasing innovation and inquiry at the Aga Khan Nursery and Primary School, Dar es Salaam Grade 6 PYP exhibition
Grade 6 students at the Aga Khan Nursery and Primary School, Dar es Salaam took centre stage on 8 May 2025 with their culminating International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) exhibition – a dynamic showcase of curiosity, critical thinking and creativity under the theme, “How the world works”.
The exhibition is a celebration of the students’ learning journey within the PYP curriculum by showcasing what they have learnt through projects involving real-world issues. For eight weeks, students focused on complex global issues such as cyberbullying, climate change, sustainability, mental health and more. Through self-guided group projects, field visits, consultations with professionals and more, their research enriched their final projects. One such guest was Ms Neema Walter, a climate ambassador and co-founder of Nishati-Mix, an energy company dedicated to transforming plastic waste into electricity and clean cooking energy, who helped students link their classroom inquiry to real-world climate action.
"The impact of environmental pollution is real,” said Grade 6 student Abdulhalim-Ahad Nadeem, who attended Ms Neema’s session on environmental awareness. “It is our responsibility to help spread awareness. While we cannot completely stop environmental pollution, we can manage it. One way to do this is by using eco-friendly energy sources such as solar energy that minimise our impact on the environment."
A key addition to the exhibition this year was the mentorship element. Teachers and mentors played an active role in guiding students through the inquiry process by organising expert sessions and field trips, supporting their research. They also provided feedback on presentations and reflections, including materials and self-assessments. This support system helped students grow their ideas into well-structured, thoughtful projects.
"I worked with my group to explore environmental pollution," shared Nisha Monani, another Grade 6 student. “We researched its definition, types, causes and impacts. We also explored ways to reduce pollution, such as collecting trash around the school and recycling materials, like using water bottles to grow flowers. We worked hard, even outside regular school hours, to prepare our display boards. Throughout the process, our mentors helped us.”
Exhibition day brought the school community together – parents, peers, teachers and guests actively engaged with the students’ work through various learner-centred activities, including presentations, stage performances and interactive displays. Each project reflected a unique journey, with students demonstrating creativity, collaboration and growing confidence in their ideas.
Beyond just showcasing what students had learnt, students took meaningful action, which is a key component of the exhibition. Students shared different ways that reflected how they want to make the world a better place. The PYP exhibition celebrated the students’ transformation into committed and compassionate young changemakers. Their confidence, pride and enthusiasm were clear indicators of the skills and values they will carry forward as lifelong learners and contributors to society.
Photos (top to bottom):
- A student proudly explains her project to the Chairman of AKES, Tanzania and the CEO.
- Students take the stage with a performance on health and well-being.
- Parents and families watching the students perform on the stage.
- Students from other grade levels listening attentively to the project explanations.
