SEARCHING FOR LIFE ON OTHER PLANETS THROUGH OUR COLLABORATION WITH MIT

Throughout the previous term, Primary and Secondary students spent STEAM lessons exploring space and possibility of life on exoplanets (planets that orbit stars outside of our solar system).

As part of our unique collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), students were set a challenge by Dr Sara Seager, Professor of Planetary Science, Physics and Aerospace Engineering at MIT. Dr Seager is best known as an expert and pioneer in the vast and unknown world of exoplanets.

Dr Seager challenged our students to dive into the world of exoplanets using NASA's exoplanet catalogue, which lists and details over

Our students worked in teams to locate an exoplanet that could feasibly support life, conducting research to determine if certain planets met the requirements.

5,320 confirmed exoplanets. Students were tasked with trying to find an exoplanet that could support life.

One of the key concepts to consider in the search for life on other planets is the Goldilocks Zone, which is also known as the Habitable Zone. This refers to a distance range between a planet and a star, where conditions are just right for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet. Liquid water is considered a key requirement for life as we know it, so planets in the Goldilocks Zone are seen as the most promising candidates for harbouring extraterrestrial life.

Our students worked in teams to locate an exoplanet that could feasibly support life, conducting research to determine if certain planets met the requirements, such as the presence of water and having a suitable atmosphere.

During their research, students had the opportunity to ask Dr Seager questions about the exoplanets they discovered. They also used their creative skills to imagine what life might exist on these distant worlds, creating 3D models of exoplanets using materials such as polystyrene, Mod Rock, and paint. The students also created models and posters of the aliens that could potentially inhabit these worlds.

This MIT challenge gave students a fascinating insight into the possibility of life on planets far from our own. Dr Seager was very impressed with the students’ research and their imaginative creations.

David Burke & Stephen Labelle STEAM teachers

This year we have been delighted to return to hosting in-person visits from The Juilliard School curriculum specialists, who are instrumental to the development of performing arts teaching and learning here at BIS Hanoi.

On 24th and 25th February we welcomed our first visitor, Tania Hakkim, a Drama specialist from New York. Tania worked with our Year 3 students, who experienced Drama in their curriculum for the first time this year through their storytelling Drama lesson “What is Your Gift?”.

Tania also taught Year 7 students a workshop from the new interdisciplinary unit from Juilliard Creative Classroom, “Ellis Island”. Students responded to these sessions with creativity and attentive curiosity. They were shining examples of the imaginative and open minded students we foster here at BIS Hanoi.

Tania also worked closely with Drama teachers Catherine Somerville and Sarah Macdonald to continue to develop their teaching practice.

She supported them in finding new and innovative ways to engage students in the benefits of Drama education.

The whole Performing Arts department also took part in a professional development workshop focused on student-centred learning. This successful session will be further built on, and shared with more teaching staff, as part of our Music Specialist visit later this year.

On March 14th and 15th we were delighted to welcome Ashley Brown