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Empowering students through Inquiry

The WAB Podcast

Release Date: 01/24/2025

Inside German Language Learning at WAB show art Inside German Language Learning at WAB

The WAB Podcast

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The WAB Podcast

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Exploring AI and Learning with Visiting Expert Rita Bateson show art Exploring AI and Learning with Visiting Expert Rita Bateson

The WAB Podcast

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The WAB Podcast

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Inside WAB’s Middle School House System show art Inside WAB’s Middle School House System

The WAB Podcast

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Inside WAB’s Dual Language Program show art Inside WAB’s Dual Language Program

The WAB Podcast

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WAB Podcast | Digital Citizenship: Students Navigating Life Online show art WAB Podcast | Digital Citizenship: Students Navigating Life Online

The WAB Podcast

In this week’s episode, Middle School Counselor Solomon Cruz sits down with students Sarafina (G8) and Thomas (G7) for an open, honest conversation about what it means to be a responsible and respectful digital citizen.  From managing group chats to navigating online friendships, our students share how they make thoughtful choices in a constantly connected world and what they wish adults better understood about growing up online.  Throughout the discussion, Solomon and the students explore practical strategies that parents can use at home, including:  Starting early: Having...

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WAB Podcast | Global Citizenship in Action with Angie Crouch and HS Students show art WAB Podcast | Global Citizenship in Action with Angie Crouch and HS Students

The WAB Podcast

In this episode of the WAB Podcast, hear how students are putting Global Citizenship in Action: leading projects that empower communities, build empathy, and develop future-ready skills.

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Student Takeover! Meet our new MYP Coordinator, Rebekah Hommel show art Student Takeover! Meet our new MYP Coordinator, Rebekah Hommel

The WAB Podcast

Grade 8 hosts Hugh and Emma interview WAB’s new MYP Coordinator, Ms. Rebekah, in a lively conversation about learning, community, and curiosity.

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More Episodes

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 of the PYP framework, structured around six transdisciplinary themes, each housing a Unit of Inquiry (UOI). She highlighted that UOIs provide students with a chance to explore real-life challenges. These inquiries seamlessly integrate multiple subjects within a contextual framework, including Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts and Physical Education.  

Our Grade 4's current UOI is Sharing the Planet. Suzie introduced this unit by emphasizing its relevance in letting students understand how their daily lives intertwine with the environment and the broader world. Through this unit, students not only discover the origins of energy but also actively engage in hands-on experiments, fostering critical thinking and a realization that each individual can play a part in shaping a sustainable future. 

Grade 4 student Gayi shared that through the exploration of this unit, she felt she had enhanced her ability to differentiate between various energy sources such as solar power, muscle power and wind power. She prefers using renewable energy in her daily life. During a discussion on sustainable innovations, she also shared how she was inspired by a girl who created biodegradable plastic from banana peels 

Her peer Matteo shared he liked the process of constructing a wind turbine, recounting the challenges of crafting a sturdy base using Lego, building the blades using different materials and precisely measuring them at 14 centimeters high. He shared that after the exploration of unit, he could now distinguish  different power sources, like wind power and water power,  and try to stay away from using fossil fuels to make electricity. 

To learn more about how our students comprehend complex environmental issues, and ignite creativity and nurture critical thinking, tune in to this episode for an exploration of their UOI adventures.