The fresh start of the new semester marks the final stretch of the infamous “Middle Years Programme” (MYP) Project. The MYP is a five-year curriculum through the International Baccalaureate program that begins in sixth grade and terminates in 10th grade. Every student who passes through North Atlanta is expected to complete the MYP Project during their sophomore year to showcase their talents and challenge themselves to obtain a deeper understanding of a subject of interest. Currently, sophomores’ anxiety is at an all-time high as they cram to finish the necessary criteria by February 27th.
The MYP project is not an easy feat amidst sophomores’ other homework. Sophomore Jessie Rojas decided to build a bench that he could donate to his former elementary school, E. Rivers. Although Rojas had a small carpentry background, he still faced many obstacles during the construction process. He struggled to pick out the proper materials, block out a designated time in his busy schedule to focus on the bench, and confirm every piece of wood fit nicely together. Unfortunately, Rojas’ struggles did not end after building the bench. After undergoing months of developing a product, students are expected to create a reflective report on their project, in the form of an essay or multimedia presentation. “I have so much homework, so many tests to study for, and all sorts of projects,” said Rojas. “It’s very hard to find time to write a 6-15 page paper.”
Because this process may come with stress and struggles, many students select a project they are passionate about. For instance, those who love sports may create a sports camp for younger kids and those who love cooking may formulate a new recipe. Sophomore Ethan Flaming finds contentment in the art of design, so he devised this year’s Hoop-coming shirts for his MYP Project. Through the Canva platform, he assembled letters, emblems, and photos on a shirt layout to design a t-shirt that honored the late Coach Sarden. These shirts were sold to the student body during Hoop-coming week and are still for sale on the NAHS PTSA website. “I’ve always loved designing on technology, but the main reason I chose this project was to bring the school community together,” said Flaming.
While this project can be fun, it can also be extremely beneficial. Students, such as sophomore Sophia Irvine, picked a project that coincided with their dream career. Ever since Irvine watched Top Gun, she has dreamed of becoming a pilot and recognizes the lack of women in the aviation industry. For her project, Irvine researched the different paths and job opportunities for pilots and compiled the information on a website. The goal of her website was to inform females about the proper steps to securing a career in aviation, despite frequent gender barriers. However, as she worked on the website, she found herself learning all sorts of new information. “I determined that for my aspirations, it would be best for me to attend military school where I could learn how to fly a plane,” said Irvine.
Despite sophomores’ persistent complaints about the MYP Project, many admit that they either enjoyed or learned a lot from this experience. After February 27th, sophomores will wait in anticipation of their final grade. The project is graded on a 0-7 scale, with a 5 being the minimum score to earn a spot in the highly competitive IB program for juniors and seniors. Good luck to all the sophomores!
