By Polina Moutsaki, DP Physics teacher and Subject Area Coordinator Sciences
Two years ago, we broadened our offer with Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS). This interdisciplinary subject has quickly found its place in our community, particularly among students who are curious about how scientific understanding connects to real-world decision-making. Whether exploring local environmental data or global sustainability challenges, ESS students are consistently engaged in discussions that extend beyond the classroom and into the world around them.
Thinking through iteration
This year, we are also pleased to introduce Design as part of our DP programme. This addition has already brought a different kind of energy into the department, with students working through the design cycle to test ideas, prototype solutions, and refine their thinking through iteration. They are currently working on a bridge-building project as part of their first unit, adding a strongly practical and creative dimension that complements our sciences and resonates well with students who enjoy building, creating, and problem-solving in applied contexts.
Pathways
Together, these subjects are helping us respond to the needs and interests of a growing DP cohort. Students are increasingly selecting combinations that support popular pathways such as engineering, medicine, environmental sciences, and design-related fields. More importantly, they are making choices that reflect who they are as learners—whether that is in the laboratory, in field-based investigation, or through creative design thinking. We are excited to continue developing these pathways with our students in the years ahead.