WAB Podcast | Passion and Purpose, the Grade 10 Personal Project

The Personal Project is a capstone experience that invites students to explore a topic of personal interest, such as designing a meaningful product, and then reflecting deeply on how they learn. The project is one of many ways WAB’s MYP Programme  supports student learning and prepares them for the IB Diploma Programme and continuous learning beyond High School. 

“The Personal Project is really about giving students space,” explains Chris Hayden, WAB’s Personal Project Coordinator. “Space to pursue what they’re passionate about, to define how they want to learn, and to reflect on the skills they’re developing along the way.” 

That freedom leads to an extraordinary range of projects. Grade 10 student Zane, driven by his love of cars and engineering, is researching the development of more sustainable fuels that could reduce environmental impact while preserving the excitement of automotive design.  

“I’ve learned a lot through trial and error,” Zane shares. “My project changed direction as I learned what was realistic, and that process helped me understand the topic and myself better.” 

For Layla, her Personal Project explores nonverbal communication through creating a documentary, combining academic research with creative expression. 

“I really liked that there were no limits,” Layla says. “It felt like a blank canvas where I could explore something I genuinely cared about.”

Beyond the final products, the Personal Project is intentionally designed to develop lifelong skills. Students set learning and product goals, define success criteria, create action plans, and manage long-term deadlines independently. They also reflect extensively on IB Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, including research, self-management, communication, collaboration, and critical and creative thinking. 

“One of the biggest challenges for students is time management,” Hayden notes. “There aren’t constant reminders or checkpoints. Students have to learn how to break a big project into smaller goals and hold themselves accountable, just like they will in university and beyond.” 

Challenges are not only expected; they are essential. Both Zane and Layla described moments of uncertainty: difficulty finding reliable research, unresponsive experts, or deadlines approaching faster than expected. Working through these setbacks builds resilience, adaptability, and confidence. 

Equally important is reflection. After completing their product, students assess their work against their own criteria and take a holistic look at how the process has shaped them as learners. 

A successful Personal Project, Hayden explains, isn’t defined by perfection. “It’s about meaningful engagement, connecting learning to passion, developing transferable skills, and gaining insight into who you are and what you value.” 

As students prepare to transition into the demands of the IB Diploma Programme, the Personal Project offers a chance to explore exciting possibilities.