Think Big Program
The Think Big Program:
Using Art to Inspire SVHS Personal Projects
This unique program mirrors and supports student’s progress on the IB MYP Personal Project (PP) with experiences with the Strathmore Center Concert hall, Glenstone Museum, and Watkins Mills HS! As a part of this program, students will experience activities that include access to prestigious artists and experts, field trips, performances, and teacher support.
During each step of the MYP PP, professional artists will share, provide feedback, and perform for students to help guide them through the particular skills needed at that point in the project. For example, during the brainstorming step of the MYP PP, the artists shared their own experiences brainstorming ideas for their artwork and tips for success.
The Think Big Program goal is for students to use the art-based experiences gained through the program to help develop the skills needed for success on the MYP Personal Project. Although the program centers around art-based experiences, the students are encouraged to choose an MYP PP based on their own interests, passions, hobbies, or extracurriculars.
This is also a great opportunity to build students’ skills to prepare for the IB Diploma-Program, IB Career-Related Program, or individual IB courses in 11th and 12th grade.
Overview of the Program:
Students will participate in….
● In-school and off-site field trips to amazing exhibitions, like the Strathmore at AMP Music Club
● Artists performances and an opportunity to engage with the professional artists
● Meet and greets with fellow program participants from Watkins Mill High School
Commonly asked questions:
Can I join if I am not currently a 10th grader? Unfortunately, this program is only for students in 10th grade.
What exactly is the MYP Personal Project (PP)? The MYP PP is a culminating 10th grade project for the MYP program, where students chose a topic they are interested in, and work towards creating a product (Google slides, website, video, blog, cookbook, poem, etc.). Next week during SEL, you will learn more about the MYP Personal Project.
What is the cost for the program? The program is FREE. There is no cost for any of the field trips or experiences.
Do I need to be involved or interested in the arts to participate? Although the program centers around art-based experiences, students do not need to be involved in the arts to participate. Although the goal is to use artists’ experiences and performances to support their progress, students are encouraged to choose an MYP PP topic based on their own interests, passions, hobbies, or extracurriculars.
Is this program extra work? No! 10th graders are already completing the MYP Personal Project. This program just provides extra support and guidance throughout the project process.
Does this look good for college? Absolutely! In addition to being an amazing experience, the Think Big Program looks great on resumes and college applications. It also helps develop essential skills for IB courses in 11th and 12th grade, as well as college and career.
All interested 10th grade student are
encouraged to join the Think Big Program!
The top photographs show the artists presenting to the students.
The bottom photographs show SVHS student vision boards, as well as our staff chaperones.
An Example Experience
For one of the experiences, 6 Strathmore Artists joined the students to discuss the importance of process over product. They shared their personal stories, difficulties they faced, and how they had to remain flexible throughout the artistic process and in their final product. Each artists' shared wonderful examples of how much we can learn from the process, even when it is imperfect or difficult.
The students then applied what they learned from the artists to their MYP Personal Project by creating a vision board before returning to their Personal Project planning documents.
Pictures from Think Big Experiences
Marley Bolton, Class of 2024, presenting a draft of her MYP PP idea for feedback from Jakari Sherman, Artistic Director of Step Afrika!
Mackenzie Smith's, Class of 2024, vision board for her MYP PP based on the discussion of creating a vision and action plan with artists
SVHS student participating in Artist Talk section of a Think Big Experience
Seneca Valley HS & Watkins Mill HS students creating poems at our final Think Big Program celebration
Artists performing a unique collaborative concert for students at the Strathmore at AMP in Rockville, MD
Christylez Bacon, a GRAMMY® Nominated Progressive Hip-Hop artist and multi-instrumentalist from Southeast, DC, performing for SVHS