The MXIS DP and MYP students went to Subic, Philippines for their Interdisciplinary and Experiential learning. They did Forest Quadrant Study, Water Quality Test, Coral Reef Check and Soil Analysis as part of their academic requirements. They planned, organized and implemented an outreach program for the Aeta tribe in Kanaynayan Community and send donations to RSCC Orphanage in Clark. They also volunteered in animal shelters, such as El Kabayo and Wildlife in Need. All donations were raised through fundraising projects done in Xiamen, China.
No copyright infringement intended. I do not own the music used in this video: I Lived by One Republic.
Visit their class blog for daily reflections: https://blog.seesaw.me/2019casjournals and https://blog.seesaw.me/mypaands910
Blog from the students
“Trip to Kanaynayan Community School, it was just amazing. Even if I had to wake up at five o’clock, travel about two hours to arrive at school, wet my pants and shoes, sweat the WHOLE day, and communicate with children who don’t understand what I’m saying, but was one worthy experience. First of all, I felt excited to teach and spend my day with the pupils in Kanaynayan Community School. In the school, the children and people were all so warmly welcoming us, which can be seen by the preparation of dance and song presentations. Our group was assigned for Grade 2 and 3 students. The beginning was all awkward and we didn’t know what to do. But after teaching the action song, “Row, row, row your boat”, we were much comfortable with each other. Then we had some competitions related to math problems. I believe the kids all enjoyed time with us, and either did we. But other than excitement, I felt compassion. When I was distributing the food, which was main dish, “meat”, I felt so bad when I only can give one piece of meat for each kid. But I couldn’t give more, because this action may lead other kids to eat less. So to be fair, I only had to be rational and be equal to everyone. In other hand, it was sad to know the fact that they have limited amount of food to eat, and no freedom to choose what to eat. Unlike us, we get what we want, eat what we only want to, wear what we like, and do what we want to. Well, we can’t expect everyone in this world to live equally and live in the same condition, but by visiting this school, it brought me many thought and reflected on my previous actions back in my home. There are many different ways of living, but it doesn’t mean that, the life in KSC is bad. For them, they are all satisfied with their lives, and are happy with it. So we should not feel pity on them, because they do have their own lives happily, and we are not to say they are poor or not, but we are just to experience new standard of living other than ours.” – G. Si
“Day 4. Our 4th day of the Philippines trip was very aquatic. We learnt so much about different types and relatives off the starfish species, sea urchin, and sea cucumber. Also, our group tested the ammonia, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, and pH levels of the water in the dolphin lagoon. After testing, the result was that the dolphin lagoon is completely fit for the dolphins to live. Everything was in the perfect level. Not only did we prove the water to be perfect for the dolphins, but we also learned how to test it. Through this, we engaged with issues of global importance and worked collaboratively with each other as well.” – A. Batbaatar
“I was excited for this day because we were going to do the coral reef check. Before that, we did the marine water quality check of the different lagoons or aquariums in ocean adventure. It was fun to collect water from the place where turtles and sharks were swimming around and some how different from the water quality tests that we did for the water that we collected in the mangrove area and the ocean. Next we also did the dichotomous key. After these activity we ate lunch and then proceeded to our coral reef check. I was almost dying of tiredness so I woke up late in preparing for the reef check. So I wore my clothes and ran to the meeting spot. Then, we started a short lecture and demo needed in classifying the corals. Later on, we started the activity. I was again surprised by the different fishes. Before doing this activity, I only took attention on the fishes but during the activity, I only looked at the corals and noticed the beauty. If there were no corals, there would be no fishes. I tried to value each and every corals and classified them carefully with my group mates. The coral reef check was quite a team building activity because we divided our roles and I think this was pretty effective in finishing the work successfully.” – S. Choi
“Subic CAS trip: Day 9 Reflection Finally the last day before departure. In the morning,my group went to WIN, and we are responsible for the set up of bats’ cage. The boys hang up the vines and trees for stimulating bats’ brain, and girls used hammer to prepare the wires for hanging fruits.The most enjoyable activities in the afternoon such as tree drop, super man ride, and shopping etc. had occupied the schedule. The strongest feeling I experienced was relax. After tight stretching of nerves for all of the responsibilities and missions, suddenly the pressure went off and this should be a way to release stress in our daily life. Be balanced because YOLO.” – J. Chuang
It was indeed a truly remarkable experience. I am so glad to be part of the students’ journey to be globally sensitive and international-minded individuals who care for the community and the world. Putting service at the core of learning develops empathy and respect beyond teaching in a four-walled classroom.
MITCHEL AFRICA 