Northern Heights fifth graders excel at IB exhibitions partnering with Squalicum students

Squalicum High School AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students in grade 10 supported Northern Heights Elementary School fifth graders on their International Baccalaureate (IB) exhibition projects. The exhibitions are a deep inquiry into a singular subject and is the culmination of the Primary Years Program (PYP) of IB curriculum. A hallway display in the school shared the basic structure of the IB project: select an issue, form groups, generate questions and become more knowledgeable.

The fifth grade teachers at Northern Heights (Tawni Eisenhart, Staci Shrum and Taraleen Wildly) and Squalicum AVID teacher Tasha Ericksen jumped at the chance to collaborate between their schools. During exhibition season, the fifth graders can always use a mentor at all stages of development. Bringing in the high school students was a win win. The older students could be there as thought partners for the younger students on their topics; and the younger students could practice sharing what they learned with the older students.

Over the course of six weeks, Squalicum students trekked over to nearby Northern Heights on several different school days to assist the elementary students with research, locating good sources, technical presentations (like PowerPoints) and brainstorming actions that could be taken on their chosen topics.

The subjects of these exhibits were as varied as there were students. They selected topics by asking themselves questions such as What are you passionate about? What do you want to help with? What frustrates you? and What makes you wonder?  Some of the subjects chosen included the following: pollution, the impact of oil spills on marine life, wildfires, endangered animals and animal cruelty. There were also exhibits on global overpopulation and even on the perennially sticky subject of inflation. On topics closer to home, exhibitions focused on food waste and healthy food in school. BPS director of food services Lindsay Ahrens visited the two groups researching school meals and spent time answering their questions and giving them lots of information.

Because this is a multi-month project, teacher Wildly checked in with her fifth graders midway through to ask how it was going for them. Reflections revealed a range of emotions about their projects. Some students felt excited, overjoyed, enthusiastic, ecstatic, delighted and curious, while others expressed that they felt annoyed and frustrated by the pace of their research. And as is the case whenever there is a public display of work, some students felt downright nervous and anxious and even terrified. Getting this kind of feedback is important so check-ins can be used to personalize what the students need to succeed.

The majority of students felt confident in their research and abilities and one student in particular took it all in stride. I feel “good,” the student wrote. “Me and my partner have enough to pull it off.”

Many fifth graders also had a chance to set up Zoom calls with adults outside of the school district to discuss their projects. For example, one group (Ellen, Emily and Edith) in Wildly’s classroom was able to interview City of Bellingham (COB) staff about the issue of pollution. Two COB staff members, storm and surface water technician Eli Mackiewicz and communications and outreach coordinator Stefanie Cilinceon, spent more than 30 minutes on a Zoom answering student questions about what steps the city takes and what steps individuals could take to help with pollution problems in Bellingham. Side note from the Zoom interview! One major pollution issue that individuals can address is to pick up your dog’s droppings immediately and dispose of them in the trash.

Most fifth graders shared that the high school students were helpful with research, resources and presentation tips. Student Natalie shared that her high school mentor helped her on many fronts with her project on climate change. “She helped me figure out Outlook, helped me find some good sources, and she gave me some good ideas,” she shared.

Riley says that her high school student helper contributed immensely to her topic of the human impact on animals/animal endangerment. “She helped me research lots of info,” she said.

Some exhibition projects focused on more social emotional topics. For example, Squalicum student Raegan Wheeler supported a few fifth graders with their topic on gossip. “I got to tell them some of my struggles with gossip in my life,” Raegan said, “and they really took interest in it. They also took interest in telling me all their stories.”

“It did surprise me on how passionate they were on their topic,” Raegan continued. “They really acted like they cared and wanted the issue to get better.”

Teacher Tawni Eisenhart was happy with the outcome of the collaboration. “I really see the opportunity for fifth grade to continue this partnership!” she shared. “Squalicum is an amazing place with older students who are willing to help, have skills to share and can support and celebrate our students at Northern Heights.”

Eisenhart also went on to explain how IB projects are a great way to foster and develop student success. “Many students feel more comfortable with the personal attention and support through this big project,” she said. “It’s nice for them to have someone to answer quick questions or bounce ideas off of. It also keeps the fifth grader attending to this difficult work.”

“I heard some fifth graders planning on showing their mentor the work they accomplished on the days SQHS was not at NH. It was fun to have a mentor to celebrate that learning with!”

During this unique collaboration, Eisenhart was also able to reconnect with a few former students. When these current 10th graders were in 5th grade it was the beginning of the pandemic lockdown and the beginning of remote learning; this made the teacher-student reunion extra special.

Taraleen Wildly was also pleased with this first-time partnership with high schoolers. She was also thrilled to reconnect with a few Squalicum students who she taught at Alderwood years before. “This partnership is one that I have been dreaming of since I started Exhibition at Alderwood,” Wildly said. “At Alderwood it would have been tricky with transportation, so when I moved to Northern Heights with Squalicum nearby, it was a no brainer!”

Whether it’s the incredible list of deep and important topics chosen, or the fact that the connection between older and younger students was given a place to grow, the IB exhibitions at Northern Heights this year took on a hopeful and positive energy.

As the saying goes, the kids are alright. We see this everyday everywhere in Bellingham Public Schools