The WAB Podcast
Welcome to the latest episode of the WAB Podcast! In this episode, we explored the world of Global Citizenship and the stories, ideas, and initiatives behind this program that make our student learning and community unique. Joining us were Angelia Crouch, WAB's Global Citizenship Coordinator; LeeAnne Lavender, an Educational Consultant specializing in storytelling and service learning; and two High School students, Ernest and Michelle, who are leading impactful community projects. Together, they discussed how WAB's Global Citizenship Program is empowering students to become change-makers and...
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Welcome to the latest episode of the WAB Podcast! In this episode, we stepped into "Art Explosion" in WAB's Elementary School with Juanita McGarrigle, Visual Arts Head of Department. Let's discover how this exhibition empowered students to curate their own artwork and deepen their connection to the creative process, as well as how art fosters self-expression and helps students discover themselves. Juanita shared that the Art Explosion began as a way to give students greater ownership over their artistic journeys by allowing them to choose what they want to exhibit. Students...
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Ever wondered what it’s like to explore the night sky like a real astronomer? In this episode of the WAB Podcast, we take a journey beyond the stars with the WAB Astronomy Club! Joining us were Kamil Rudolf, Middle School Science teacher, and three Grade 7 students—Helge, Wout, and Valentin. From hands-on telescope observations to building their own space probes, our students are exploring planets, stars, and other mysteries in the universe. They shared their recent discoveries, perspectives, and learnings about the night sky. Kamil shared that club members usually gather every...
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Welcome to the latest episode of WAB Podcast Season 5! In this episode, we explored the world of Nature of Science. Joining us were two Grade 10 students, Claire and Kabir, along with their teacher, Chris Hayden. Together, they took us on a journey through this project-based science course that allows students to dive deep into their passions, nurture critical thinking, sharpen their skills, and foster a love for scientific inquiry that goes beyond the classroom. Chris introduced that Nature of Science (NOS) allows students to choose and explore an area of science they're passionate...
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Welcome to the latest episode of the WAB Podcast! In this episode, we are joined by Marina Frias Gavidia, our Middle School Principal, and Dr. Jaime Pustis, High School Principal, along with two students, Thomas from Grade 6 and Simo from Grade 12. They discussed WAB's Day 9, a program designed to promote student agency, personalized learning, and flexibility. From student-led workshops and community engagement projects to academic support and well-being sessions, they explored how Day 9 is designed and what it can offer, allowing students to explore their passions, develop...
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Welcome to the latest episode of the WAB Podcast Season 5! In this episode, we are joined by Marta Medved Krajnovic, WAB’s Head of School, and Stephen Taylor, Director of Innovation in Learning and Teaching, as they discuss the Future of Education Now 2025 (FOEN25) conference. Scheduled for March, this festival of learning will bring together educators, students, and parents to explore the future of education through collaboration, inspiration, and action. A Brief History of FOEN Marta shared the story behind the FOEN conference, which was first launched in 2019 as a way...
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Welcome to the 14th episode of WAB Podcast Season 5! In this episode, we have invited two Grade 4 students, Gayi and Matteo to join us, along with their teacher Suzie Sizemore, and WAB's Curriculum Coach and PYP Coordinator Jenny Jin. Together, they explored the world of the Unit of Inquiry and their current unit Sharing the Planet. From understanding environmental issues to participating in hands-on experiments like building generators and wind turbines, they reflect on their inquiry, their critical thinking journeys, and the key takeaways from this unit. Jenny elaborated on the essence...
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Welcome to the 13th episode of WAB Podcast Season 5! In this episode, we are joined by three Middle School students: Veronica from Grade 8, Claude from Grade 7, and Jasmine from Grade 6, along with their design teachers, Andy Cole and Simon Furmston. Together, they discussed the Middle School Design Showcase, highlighting the unique features of their projects, the challenges they encountered throughout the process, and the skills they developed along the way. Join us as we explore their creative journeys. Simon introduced the purpose behind the Middle School Design Showcase, which served...
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Welcome to the 12th episode of WAB Podcast Season 5! This episode was brought to you by the High School Art Amplifier Club. In this episode, student host Myriam from Grade 10 has invited three representatives to share their APAC Arts experience: Grade 11 student Hannah for dance, Grade 9 student Liam for choir, and Grade 12 student Jeremy for orchestra. When discussing APAC festival highlights and personal growth, Jeremy reflected that working with visiting conductor Professor Mark Gibson was an inspiring collaboration, which fostered a "valuable mentor-musician relationship" for the...
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Welcome to the eleventh episode of Season 5 of the WAB podcast. In this episode. We're joined by Marina Frias-Gavidia, the Middle School Principal and Spanish teacher, Moana Teriitehau, the French language acquisition teacher, and three students: Dominic, Kenzie, and Zoe from Grade 8. Together, they explored the After School Language (ALP) Program, discussing its benefits, learning approaches, and how it supports multilingualism, cultural understanding, and diversity at WAB. Marina highlighted our diverse community values multilingualism and ALP provides students the opportunity to learn...
info_outlineWelcome to the tenth episode of Season 5 of the WAB podcast! In this episode, we are joined by Grade 11 student Francesco, Grade 12 student Anya, WAB's High School Visual Arts Teacher Daniel Avila, and Film Teacher Patrick Izing. Together, they explored the development of WAB Curated and how it not only showcases student work but also nurtures their learning, helps them focus on the creative process, and serves as a digital portfolio. They also provided insights into the challenging and rewarding moments of the DP Art program.
WAB Curated, as Daniel explained, is a digital showcase for student artwork and films. It transforms classroom creations into public exhibitions, allowing for wider appreciation and feedback. This platform also encourages students to curate their own exhibitions and make connections between different works.
Patrick emphasized the joy of seeing students proud of their finished work and eager to share it. Both teachers highlighted how art education fosters deeper connections between students and teachers.
A key focus of WAB Curated is documenting the artistic process, not just the final product. Daniel stressed the importance of showing students' struggles and creative blocks, normalizing these experiences for aspiring artists. Patrick added that filming the creation process reveals the human side of art-making, showcasing both victories and challenges. Francesco notes that filmmaking relies on collaboration and trust among team members. He said, "Everybody's putting the work in together, making something together, and I think that's beautiful."
Our guests provided advice to students who are considering taking Diploma Program Arts. Patrick advised prospective DP art and film students to speak with current students for realistic expectations and to understand the unique nature of these subjects.
Daniel compared Visual Art to other subjects, noting its specific requirements and the impossibility of last-minute cramming. Francesco added that attentiveness in class is crucial for success. Anya concluded with a heartfelt message: if you truly care about art, pursue it despite the challenges. She acknowledged the emotional rollercoaster of the creative process but affirmed its ultimate worth, sharing "It's a lot of energy, it's a lot of time, it's a lot of yourself that you're putting into something, and it's worth it."
WAB Curated is more than just a showcase; it's a tool for learning, reflection, and growth, offering students a platform to share their artistic journey and prepare for future creative endeavors. If you want to learn more, tune into this episode and listen!