Grade 8 students are dancing to the sound of their own learning.

A project in MYP Design requires students to plan, design, connect, and build a functioning Bluetooth speaker. It involves exploring digital, wood-crafting, and electronic circuitry tools and learning how to bring them together to create a familiar product.

Check out the video above to hear students and teachers explain the how and whys of the project. And find a full slideshow of the learning journey here.

“It helps to engage the students when it’s something that’s familiar, something that’s worthwhile, and something they’re going to use in the future,” MYP Design Teacher Simon Furmstom said.

Grade 8 student Vivi agreed.

“I’m making something I’m going to use. This project is not about making something for the grade. I’m making it for myself, and that feels better,” she said.

When it comes to evaluating the student’s projects, MYP Design Teacher Isaac Peña said success goes far beyond the formal assessment.

“For us as educators, we want the kids to feel curious about the things that they can do and think about how they can transmit the knowledge they gain in their subjects into actual things they can use in their lives,” he said.