“As someone born and raised in Hanoi, I’ve grown familiar with the hustle and bustle of a modern city. Yet amidst that busy flow of life, I’ve always yearned for a sense of rustic, sincere beauty, the cultural essence that has nourished the Vietnamese soul for centuries. The idea for my personal project report, an exhibition on Vietnamese culture, was conceived from a desire to spread and honor the traditional beauty of my homeland through the language of art, a silent yet heartfelt form of expression.”
Those are the words shared by Bao Anh (10Edmonton) about her personal project report – one of the unique highlights of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Dewey. These are not massive scientific works or grand theoretical ideas; instead, the projects often emerge from students’ everyday observations – from personal stories to long-held passions. The 20+ personal project reports by Class 10Edmonton reflect a wide range of distinctive and individual colors.
For Thanh Mai, her personal project report was a chance to tell the story of the piano – a companion that has been with her for many years. Unlike previous academic projects such as debates, drama performances, or Model United Nations, she presented musical pieces that have accompanied her through life, a kind of “emotional medicine” that has helped her overcome many challenges in both study and personal life.
Also centering her personal project report around a personal perspective, Uyen Nhi created a handcrafted scrapbook exploring French architecture in Hanoi. Inspired by her love of the French language since Grade 7, Uyen Nhi realized that learning a foreign language is not just about vocabulary and grammar, it is a journey into the rich culture that lies beyond. “Even though I’ve lived in Hanoi for 16 years, this project helped me discover so many fascinating things: why the Long Bien Bridge, built by the French, runs in the opposite direction from other bridges, or why Haa Lò Prison has such a name. Behind every structure lies a story worth exploring – a story of history and culture.”
Mr. Tate Lamoreaux – who directly guided the projects – shared that the 7-month journey from ideation to realization helped students develop a mindset of independent learning. “They had the opportunity to either challenge themselves with a complex topic or pursue something they love. No matter the direction, students developed key IB learner attributes such as research skills, design thinking, and especially reflection.” One of the projects that impressed him most was a collection of hand-drawn sketches of Hanoi’s Old Quarter by Thuy Duong. A naturally introverted student, Thuy Duong chose to express herself through art. Each sketch encapsulates her emotions, memories, and deep affection for Hanoi.
These personal project reports are more than just academic products, they are powerful reflections of The Dewey Schools’ philosophy of “learning through experience,” where every student is encouraged to ignite their passion and grow holistically. As French professor Marc Lavest once said: “Education is not about filling an empty vessel, but about lighting a fire. True education doesn’t stuff the mind with knowledge, it sparks a flame of passion in every learner.”
