“Everyone wants to do something great, but few realize that life is made up of small things.” This quote by Frank A. Clark perfectly captures the spirit behind this year’s Community Projects carried out by Grade 9 Zurich students in the IB Programme at The Dewey Schools.
Rather than choosing large-scale or abstract social issues, the students began with the familiar environment around them — their own school community. From reducing food waste in the canteen, improving students’ mental well-being, promoting healthier lifestyles, collecting used batteries, to creating greener school spaces, each project was rooted in observation, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact within their everyday surroundings. Although each of the five projects carried its own unique identity, they all shared the same spirit of confidence, enthusiasm, and the courage to “dare to try – dare to fail” that defines Dewey students.
Launched in September 2025, the projects marked many “first-time experiences” for the students: designing surveys, collecting data, conducting social research, interviewing participants, and more. Along the way, they also encountered numerous challenges. Some groups struggled to refine ideas that initially seemed impractical, others found it difficult to balance the demanding workload of the IB Programme, while some worried when their social media outreach did not meet expectations. However, as Ms. Mikee Jay — a mentor who accompanied the students throughout the projects — shared:
“What matters most is not whether the projects achieve their original goals perfectly, but the process of continuously questioning, reflecting, and adapting. This is an opportunity for students to step beyond textbooks, engage with real life experiences, and develop essential social skills.”
Through these seemingly small projects, students gained profound lessons. Wang Yangziliang shared that he once viewed food waste simply as a bad habit. Yet after conducting research, surveys, and interviews with restaurant staff and canteen workers, he realized that wasted food also means wasted water, energy, labor, and financial resources. Meanwhile, Trí Dũng reflected that the community project journey taught him how to observe, listen, collaborate effectively, and strengthen his time-management and balancing skills.
At the same time, these projects gradually created meaningful positive changes within the Dewey community. More than 36 kilograms of used batteries were collected to contribute to environmental protection; previously empty hallway spaces were transformed with greenery; and a meditation club became a safe and supportive space where students could connect, share, and relieve academic pressure.
The IB Community Projects are also a reflection of how The Dewey Schools brings its mission to life — nurturing compassionate global citizens who are ready to create positive impacts within their communities. More importantly, the journey helps students understand that meaningful change does not always begin with something extraordinary. Sometimes, it starts from the smallest everyday actions. And those simple changes made today can become the foundation for lasting positive values in the future.
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The Dewey Schools Tây Hồ Tây Campus has been officially authorized by the International Baccalaureate (IB) as an IB World School, licensed to deliver the IB MYP and IB DP programmes. With a rigorous and holistic curriculum, the IB Programme empowers students to develop critical thinking, research skills, independent learning abilities, and a strong sense of social responsibility — preparing them to thrive in the highly challenging academic environments of the world’s leading universities.
Learn more about the IB Programme at Dewey: https://thedeweyschools.edu.vn/…/chuong-trinh-tu-tai…/
