How Montgomery International School nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and community engagement.
Montgomery International School, formerly École Internationale Montgomery, is a bilingual institution located in the heart of Brussels, which is accredited by the IB from primary through to the diploma level.
Aligning with the IB philosophy, MIS’ educational approach prioritizes project-based learning, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world application of knowledge across all stages of learning.
What is project based learning and how is it applied to primary education?
Project-based learning is an engaging and effective approach that encourages students to learn by actively exploring real-world problems and challenges. It is especially beneficial for primary school students, as it caters to their developmental needs. At this age, students are often more engaged and retain information better when they actively participate in hands-on activities, rather than simply passively receiving information through lectures or traditional methods.
From the very beginning of their learning journey, our primary students immerse themselves in project-based learning. For example, they explore science by cultivating our garden. They gain insights into the EU and elections through field trips to European institutions and role playing. Math comes to life outdoors, where students engage in games that challenge both their minds and bodies. In their Social Science class they explore the world of journalism by creating videos and podcasts.
In Grade 5 (PYP5) this approach becomes even more focused. Students explore a central theme throughout the year, with each student selecting a more specific topic within that theme. If the common theme is “our planet,” students might focus on subjects like “endangered animals,” “biodiversity,” or “pollution.” They dedicate significant effort to research, ensuring they use reliable sources, gathering visuals, and crafting their written, spoken, and interactive content. All this hard work leads to a year-end exhibition, providing them with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to synthesize information, express their ideas effectively, and engage with an audience
Is project-based learning applicable to older students?
Project-based learning is also effective for older students as it encourages deeper exploration, critical thinking, and real-world application of knowledge, fostering life-long skills.
Currently students are exploring the idea of building a compost container. This hands-on project helps them connect classroom learning to real-world issues like sustainability and environmental impact. It also aligns with the IB transdisciplinary discipline as it can relate to multiple subjects. In science, students explore how decomposition works and learn about ecosystems. In math, they measure materials and track the composting process over time. Social studies comes into play as they discuss sustainability and the importance of waste management. The project also involves language skills, as students will have to present their findings at the end of the year exhibition.
As they get older, Middle Years Programme students engage in a Mini Enterprise project, working in teams to develop an idea into a product that can be sold at fairs and other special events. A teacher guides them through the process, helping them understand how to bring a product to market, starting with conducting a market survey and creating a business plan, and ending with marketing and communication strategies. Along the way, they acquire valuable skills such as teamwork, leadership, creativity, and communication. Previous projects have included ’yarnimals’, decorative knitted animals, ‘Beapy Heat’, an e-fork that detects food temperature, ‘Lit Up’ a series of decorative candles, etc.
In Grade 10 (MYP5), students undertake a personal project that they will manage from start to finish with the support of a supervisor and the Personal Project coordinator. They are encouraged to explore a new interest or pursue a passion they already have. Each year showcases a diverse array of personal projects, reflecting the creativity and independence of our students. Past projects have included creating and performing a choreography for a poem, producing a video about life in South Korea, developing a workout routine, writing a “You are the Hero” book, designing a flamenco dress, etc.
At the end of the year, students are required to write an essay detailing the process they followed to complete their work. This essay is a crucial component of this exercise, as it encourages students to reflect on their experience, assess the strengths and challenges they faced, and gain insights that will help them improve their approach to future endeavors.
Do you encourage students to engage in project based learning outside the classroom?
Beyond traditional academics, the IB includes requirements such as CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) and Service as Action experiences, which encourage students to seek out new opportunities, embrace challenges, and adapt to different roles. Montgomery International School is fully committed to guiding students in choosing challenging projects that will push them beyond their comfort zones and help them build confidence.
To pass the CAS core element, DP students (Grades 11 and 12) are required to dedicate a certain amount of time to projects centered on Creativity, Activity, and Service. They often collaborate with Serve the City Brussels on various initiatives, such as assembling care packages for those in need or volunteering at a soup kitchen.
For an activity project, some students took on the challenge of running the famous '20km of Brussels,' while a creative project involved the production of an EP, handling everything from writing and composing to recording. As a rule, MIS strongly encourages students to engage in meaningful CAS activities, like fundraising for a cause or taking on challenging sports endeavors, as personal achievements increasingly enhance university applications.
Similarly, Service as Action experiences at Montgomery International School are dedicated events where students engage in community service projects, fostering a spirit of empathy and civic engagement. These events provide students with hands-on opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of social responsibility. In the past, students have partnered with Bruxelles Propreté to help clean up public spaces, volunteered at animal shelters, and spent time at centers for individuals with disabilities, raising awareness about their challenges. Through these experiences, students not only contribute to their communities but also develop a greater awareness of social issues and the importance of civic engagement.
In conclusion, do you believe project based learning is as important as traditional academics?
At Montgomery International School, we prioritize a balanced approach that integrates both academic achievement and personal development. We believe that cultivating essential personal skills is key to our students’ success, and project-based learning plays a crucial role in this. By encouraging students to actively engage with real-world challenges, we foster critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and, most importantly, self-confidence.
Montgomery International School have a Virtual Open House event on Saturday February 15 from 10.00-12.00, you can register here.
