On Sep. 19, the second annual Greater San Diego Theory of Knowledge (ToK) exhibition at BVH brought students from multiple schools together. The exhibition was held in the BVH gym aiming for students to explore and reflect on knowledge to help understand the world around them.
“The ToK exhibition is about how ToK connects to the real world,” International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program Coordinator, Jared Phelps said. “The objects [used in seniors presentations] are supposed to be objects of significance to the [students], but they do not have to be expensive objects, if you look around there’s a pen, there’s an empty cardboard box and a sharp volunteer ID card.”
The value of the object does not lie on the price tag but instead lies on its interpretation and relevance to that person. By presenting objects that hold personal value, students are able to make connections with other schools through concepts and experiences. Not only do students share connections through their projects, they also collaborate with IB students from different schools during the exhibition. IB ToK and ninth grade English teacher, Cody Betts gives recognition to his colleague Jared Phelps on the bringing together of the event.
“Phelps is the one responsible for making this happen today. He has done something very unique across the state of California by bringing together five different schools, including an elementary primary years program to come and see and participate in this exhibition,” Betts said.
Phelps’ dedication and vision has turned the ToK exhibition into a significant event for the schools involved. Not only has it helped them appreciate the connection between their personal experiences, but the learning concepts they explore as well. Betts shares what the exhibition offers to students.
“It’s a chance to showcase student learning from the ToK class and from the IB program in general. It’s also a chance for them to demonstrate their own experience of the world and different objects in making connections through those objects to the things we study in ToK,” Betts said.
Seniors had the opportunity to present to juniors their exhibition topics and objects, which offered juniors a glimpse of what to expect next year. Workshops in different classrooms allowed IB alumni to present their own experiences in IB and answer questions any juniors had. Betts explains how seniors get to explore topics they care about and present them in a collaborative environment.
“Students get to have the opportunity to explore things of their own interest at a high level. I think it is a very valuable opportunity for students to be able to present themselves in an academic setting. [Students present themselves] to their peers and to other people in a way that is both safe and challenging at the same time, giving them confidence in their own abilities [and] skills. It also creates a chance for them to learn about themselves, to discover their own interests, [and] what academic areas they might be interested in pursuing in college as they begin college apps this fall,” Betts said.
This freedom in selecting topics provides for deeper engagements with learning, allowing students to pursue their interests while also helping them develop valuable personal skills. Betts shares his perspective on this by explaining how it encourages deeper reflection on the simple objects others come across daily.
“I love the idea that we can take simple objects that we happen [to come] across every day, and we can think more deeply about them. I think it makes us more self aware of our world, our place in this world, how we impact our societies and our communities through our actions and our choices, and I think it gives us an opportunity to become better people through what we do here,” Betts said.
The initial goal for the IB diploma program is to develop similarly minded people in hopes to create a more peaceful and better world. Not only does the ToK exhibition impact the world, but exhibition participants as well. BVH senior Ian Martinez shares his feelings on the enjoyable experience of the exhibition.
“It helps you with speaking skills, you have to do a lot of critical thinking to connect knowledge to your objects, and that’s what I like about it,” Martinez said. “It’s a get together where the seniors get to talk about their exhibitions, their objects, they get to explain it, their thinking and juniors can come just to get a glimpse of what they are going to do next year.”
This collaboration is not only providing an opportunity for seniors to showcase their hard work and creativity, but it also allows juniors to prepare for their own future exhibitions. The excitement and social aspect of the event highlights the importance of making connections among students from different schools. Martinez shares his thoughts on how BVH is the only school to do a joint ToK like this.
“I wish every school held a ToK exhibition, I wish the IB program got even bigger, it’s a great program, there are many benefits,” Martinez said. “The ToK exhibition is a fun event, you get the opportunity to socialize with other students from different schools and it’s great overall.”
