In response to growing global attention on sustainability and cultural understanding, students in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) at LUYA International High School recently engaged in an innovative arts project that combined recycled materials, local culture, and intercultural meaning.

As part of the MYP Arts curriculum, students collected discarded cardboard boxes and everyday waste materials from the school and local community. Through hands-on exploration and inquiry, students examined the environmental impact of consumption and waste, redefining the concept of “discarded” materials as valuable creative resources.

Using recycled cardboard as their primary medium, students created artworks that reflected elements of local culture, including traditional architecture, cultural symbols, and scenes from everyday life. These artistic choices allowed students to reconnect with their cultural heritage while expressing personal and collective identities through visual storytelling.

Beyond a local perspective, the project encouraged students to explore intercultural connections. By comparing how different cultures respond to environmental challenges and express cultural values through art, students considered how the same materials can carry diverse meanings across cultural contexts. This inquiry-based approach reflects the IB MYP emphasis on global contexts and the development of international-mindedness.

According to the arts teacher, the project was designed not only to develop artistic skills, but also to empower students to respond to real-world issues through creative action. By working with recycled materials, students experienced sustainability as a practical and meaningful choice rather than an abstract concept.

Students shared that the project transformed the way they viewed waste and culture. “What started as an art assignment became a way for us to express how we see our community and our role in the world,” one student reflected.

The school remains committed to designing authentic MYP learning experiences that integrate creativity, responsibility, and global awareness. Through interdisciplinary, inquiry-driven projects, students are encouraged to become compassionate, reflective, and action-oriented global citizens prepared to contribute to a more sustainable future.