Service Learning in the Middle School is an important part of the MYP programme at NIS. With the dual goals of making a difference by helping others or the environment and developing knowledge and skills at the same time, this programme is rich in possibility. Through our commitment to Student Voice and Choice, students are able to decide which of the UN Sustainable Development goals they would like to investigate and are empowered to develop projects which are linked to the overall goals of the UN. Current Middle School students have projects linked to recycling, solar energy, teaching English to their peers, reading to younger students, coaching sports, helping animals and more.

All students in Grade 6-9 take part in the Middle School Service Learning programme. Students have time in their schedule dedicated to Service Learning during which time they need to take action which leads to evidence of one or more of the MYP Service as Action outcomes.

MYP learning outcomes for service

With appropriate guidance and support, MYP students should, through their engagement with service as action:

• become more aware of their own strengths and areas for growth
• undertake challenges that develop new skills
• discuss, evaluate and plan student-initiated activities
• persevere in action
• work collaboratively with others
• develop international-mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism and intercultural understanding
• consider the ethical implications of their actions

These learning outcomes identify the substance of students’ self-reflection on service as action. All of these learning outcomes are closely associated with IB learner profile attributes and ATL skills. Through their participation in service, students can become more confident, self-regulated learners.

Students also Volunteer for at least one in school activity each semester, giving up their time to support their community and developing a sense of responsibility and commitment in doing so.

Students volunteering at a basketball match

Middle School at NIS is an exciting place! Although the MYP is at the heart of the learning that takes place in Middle School we have applied the MYP philosophy of Inquiry Based Learning to our Mission and Strategy to create our very own signature courses. These courses encapsulate everything that we believe learning in the 21^st century should be, and give our students both choice and academic challenge.

Xblock Grades 6 -8

All students in Grades  6-8 take part in Xblock. Students are able to direct their own learning by choosing what skills they would like to develop or what project they want to complete. Current projects include learning how to code, healthy baking, making lip balm and slime in the Science labs, 3D sculptures, designing and building a table, composing music, and pottery. At the end of the school year, parents are invited to XFest where students make their learning visible to the community.

Design Science Grade 9

Students in Grade 9 can choose to study ‘Design Science’. This advanced Science course combines the skills of Designing with Scientific principles. Students develop rockets, build ‘rubber band’ cars and apply principles of force to creating a Rube Goldberg inspired machine.

Interdisciplinary Inquiry Grade 9

Interdisciplinary Inquiry builds on the learning that students have developed in Xblock in G6-8 by supporting them to use the creative cycle to develop a project of their own. By combining the knowledge and skills of their subject disciplines they plan, create and evaluate a product or service of their choosing. Students benefit from being able to design and pace the learning according to their own preferences with the support of a skilled educator. This course is an option for students in Grade 9.

GCD Grade 9

All students in Grade 9 work towards the Global Citizen’s Certificate portion of the GCD in Grade 9 (link to the GCD page of the website).