Global Contexts
You will need to identify ONE of the global contexts for your project to show why your line of inquiry (your project) matters. Each global context is described below.
Identities and relationships: Who am I? Who are we? Students explore identity; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities and cultures; what it means to be human.
Orientation in space and time: What is the meaning of “where” and “when”? Students explore personal histories; homes and journeys; turning points in humankind; discoveries; explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between, and the interconnectedness of, individuals and civilizations, from personal, local and global perspectives.
Personal and cultural expression: What is the nature and purpose of creative expression? Students explore the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.
Scientific and technical innovation: How do we understand the world in which we live? Students explore the natural world and its laws; the interaction between people and the natural world; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on communities and environments; the impact of environments on human activity; how humans adapt environments to their needs.
Globalization and sustainability: How is everything connected? Students explore the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the relationship between local and global processes; how local experiences mediate the global; the opportunities and tensions provided by world-interconnectedness; the impact of decision-making on humankind and the environment.
Fairness and development: What are the consequences of our common humanity? Students explore rights and responsibilities; the relationship between communities; sharing finite resources with other people and with other living things; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
You may consider the following questions as they choose a global context through which to focus your project.
- What do I want to achieve through my personal project?
- What do I want others to understand through my work?
- What impact do I want my project to have?
- How can a specific context give greater purpose to my project?
The choice of the global context will significantly shift the perspective of the MYP project. The examples below demonstrate the impact global contexts have on a topic or issue in the personal project.
Rap as a music genre
Identity and relationships: Examine the question, “Why does rap speak to me?”.
Orientation in space and time: Explore the development of rap as a style of music across continents.
Personal and cultural expression: Perform a rap song for peers and have a question-and-answer session.
Solar energy devices
Scientific and technical innovation: Design a 3D model of a solar device with instructions for construction.
Orientation in space and time: Investigate how, in history, different cultures have made use of energy for different needs.
Globalization and sustainability: Debate Hervé Kempf’s ideas about “how the rich are destroying the Earth”.