As the 2025–2026 academic year comes to a close, we reflect on one of the most inspiring milestones at the International School of Florence (ISF): the Grade 5 PYP Exhibition (PYPX 2026).
Serving as the culmination of our students’ Primary Years Programme journey, this year’s exhibition centered around the profound transdisciplinary theme ‘How We Express Ourselves.’ Under the guiding banner “Step Into Our World,” our Grade 5 learners spent months inquiring, researching, and creating presentations that invited teachers, parents, and community members into their personal passions and global perspectives.
Exploring Identity Through “How We Express Ourselves”
The PYP Exhibition is a hands-on demonstration of the skills students cultivate throughout primary school—critical thinking, independent research, public speaking, and active empathy. Following a series of guided provocations at the start of the process, students chose unique topics to investigate how human ideas, values, and passions are communicated.
The range of topics showcased at the 2026 showcase reflected the vibrant diversity of our student body. Visitors were invited to step into worlds as varied as:
- Manga & Pop Culture: Analyzing storytelling, artistic expression, and global cultural influence through Japanese illustration.
- Wildlife & Conservation (Koalas): Exploring biodiversity, habitat loss, and how scientific communication drives animal protection.
- Fashion & Identity: Investigating textiles, sustainable design, and self-expression through clothing across cultures.
- Lego & Architecture: Looking at engineering, play, and spatial design as universal human languages.
- Culinary Arts & Culinary Science (Chef): Understanding culture, tradition, and chemistry through food preparation.
- Sports & Discipline (Golf): Examining focus, biomechanics, and human potential through athletic dedication.
A Celebration of IB Learner Profile Attributes
Throughout the project, Grade 5 students acted as true Inquirers, Thinkers, and Communicators. From conducting primary interviews and analyzing secondary sources to creating interactive display booths, each student took ownership of their learning journey.
“The PYPX is more than just a presentation—it is a transformation. Seeing our Grade 5 students confidently explain complex concepts like sustainable fashion or wildlife conservation shows the real power of inquiry-based learning at ISF.”
By sharing their unique perspectives, the Class of 2033 demonstrated that personal passions can serve as powerful tools for global understanding. Congratulations to all our Grade 5 students, teachers, and mentors for making PYPX 2026 an unforgettable highlight of the 2025–2026 school year!
