Nature of Science Sparks Scientific Inquiry and Real-World Impact 

Welcome to the latest episode of WAB Podcast Season 5! In this episode, we explored the world of Nature of Science. Joining us were two Grade 10 students, Claire and Kabir, along with their teacher, Chris Hayden. Together, they took us on a journey through this project-based science course that allows students to dive deep into their passions, nurture critical thinking, sharpen their skills, and foster a love for scientific inquiry that goes beyond the classroom.  

Chris introduced that Nature of Science (NOS) allows students to choose and explore an area of science they're passionate about, and it covers foundational knowledge and key inquiry skills aligned with Middle Years Program (MYP) science objectives. He emphasized that learning science is not about memorizing facts, it should give students the tools they need to think like true scientists, including asking questions, solving problems, and making a real-world impact.  

Grade 10 student Kabir is a humanities enthusiast, who took NOS as a chance to bridge his love for economics with science. His project focused on the economic impacts of air pollution, a topic that allowed him to analyze data and uncover how environmental factors influenced global economies. He expressed he never thought he could enjoy science this much. With his teacher's help, he was able to process a large amount of data that he had collected for the project, boosting his analytical skills and making him more prepared for the Diploma Programme (DP) Economics.  

Claire from Grade 10 is very into biology, and she spent her time working on a project that combined her scientific passion with a desire to address societal issues. Inspired by conversations with some local women about the menstruation stigma in their daily lives, Claire designed an innovative project to detect gynecological diseases in a more convenient way. By using simulations, she explored how antibodies and antigens interact, aiming to create a diagnostic tool that could be integrated into sanitary products. Claire reflected this experience facilitates her DP studies and beyond, and more importantly, shows her how science can truly impact lives. 

Want to hear more about how our Grade 10 students are using NOS to sharpen their scientific skills and make a real difference in the world? Tune in to this episode!