News
Apr 23 2024
IDEATE Students’ Voices
Cecilia PEI
The university application season of 2024 has seen great success for the grade 12 students of BCIS’ IDEATE program. This year's graduates have received acceptance letters from prestigious universities worldwide, such as the University of Southern California, University of California, Irvine, the University of Sydney, and the University of Melbourne. Students specializing in music or arts have gained admission to top institutions like Berklee College of Music, New York School of Visual Arts, Pratt Institute, and the Art Center College of Design.
Not only have this year's graduates excelled, but alumni from previous IDEATE cohorts have also found a great deal of success in fields such as Environmental & Information Studies, Computer Science, International Relations...
When it comes to personalized education at BCIS, nothing encapsulates the school’s approach to it like the IDEATE program. To better understand IDEATE, our alumni and members of the 2024 graduating cohort have shared their insights and firsthand experiences of BCIS’ bespoke signature program.
When students enter the 11th grade at BCIS, in addition to the IB Diploma Programme, the CIS and WASC-accredited IDEATE program is offered as an alternative pathway. Over these two years, students are required to complete 3 elective IDEATE courses, 2 IBDP courses, and either the IBDP English A or B course. Additionally, students participate in IDEATE workshops, complete a portfolio of their coursework, and engage in social practices such as community service and work experience, all targeted and specifically in preparation for their universities or future endeavors.
Crystal, an alumni currently studying Interactive Design at the Art Center College of Design in the United States, shares what she sees as a vital strength of the IDEATE program - flexibility. "Having been with BCIS since Grade 5 and experiencing different learning stages of IB, I found that IDEATE expands upon the most flexible and challenging aspects of IB MYP inquiry-based learning," Crystal explains. "We have the opportunity to choose from courses like global issues, financial mathematics, delving into broader societal topics and undertaking real business projects, cultivating the ability to solve real-world problems in personal projects." Crystal adds that the flexibility of the program allows students ample freedom to diverge their thinking, select personal project themes based on interests, and engage in multiple discussions and brainstorming sessions with teachers to implement their ideas.
Reflecting on the course projects and university application process, Crystal found that they seamlessly intertwined. She shared an example: "In the 'harmony with nature' unit of the global issues course, I designed an app that can search for information about plant cultivation and plant details to help the community better understand the school garden. Later, I refined this project and included it in my portfolio when applying to university for an Interactive Design major." Crystal notes that thanks to the program's flexibility, she could engage in relevant interactive design experiments within class projects, making the portfolio preparation process natural rather than an additional burden.
Furthermore, Crystal mentions the course grading system. The IDEATE courses do not merely assess learning outcomes based on the mastery of knowledge; they adopt multiple assessment criteria, comprehensively evaluating students' research, inquiry, understanding, and critical thinking abilities. Grades are given at the end of each semester, with teachers assessing students based on their performance and growth throughout the term. Despite the seemingly flexible nature of the courses, the assessment methods actually demand more from students, as they require them to accumulate experience in each project, deepen their commitment and exploration, all of which develop their self-management skills, divergent thinking, expressive skills, and depth of knowledge application within projects.
Considering the approach utilized by the IDEATE program for teaching and assessment, is it exclusively tailored for students in the arts? According to Peter, a 2024 graduating student of the IDEATE program, "IDEATE is not solely geared towards arts students; its suitability depends on which way students would like to engage with their academic discipline."
Peter expressed that the IDEATE program has deeply enriched his thinking, fostering a multidimensional approach that he considers invaluable. Courses like global issues have taught him to analyze societal challenges from diverse viewpoints. Moreover, the program has afforded him practical experience through internships, providing insight into professional dynamics and industry functions. “IDEATE has been instrumental in cultivating more realistic skills beyond just tests, which I find crucial in high school”, Peter remarked.
Having a lifelong passion for music, Peter has secured his admission to the Berklee College of Music's contemporary writing and production program. His ambition is clear: to become a versatile musician proficient in production, composition, recording, and distribution. He believes BCIS IDEATE Program’s multidimensional thinking will be instrumental in his journey as he pursues this goal.
Nina, another IDEATE student, highlighted the program's focus on students with specific career aspirations, offering ample opportunities for focused growth. She emphasized its relevance not only to arts students but also to those in diverse fields like education, politics, economics, law, and psychology. According to Nina, the program's curriculum, covering topics such as globalization and leadership, equips students with essential skills and future-oriented perspectives applicable across various disciplines.
Nina's dream is to utilize film to effect positive change in society. IDEATE provides her with opportunities for delving into that area and fosters creativity through discussions on important issues like gender equality and sustainable development. Her dedication has earned her a significant scholarship offer from the School of Visual Arts.
Moreover, Nina credits BCIS IDEATE Program’s flexible curriculum with enhancing her self-management and leadership abilities. "Whether opting for the IBDP or IDEATE," she concluded, "students should consider which program aligns best with their academic and personal goals, and equips them with the necessary mindset and skillset."
Each student possesses a unique approach to pursuing their educational interests. With a focus on fostering diverse explorations, the IDEATE program exemplifies personalized learning experiences at BCIS. Encouraging critical thinkers, creative thinkers, connected learners, and purposeful doers, it not only serves as the program's evaluation criteria but also instills lifelong skills essential for navigating challenges at every stage of life, extending far beyond high school or college.
