YEAR 11 IBDP THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE CAMP

– Graham Maltby, Assistant Director of Academic Education (IB Diploma Programme), and Lucy Murphy, Theory of Knowledge Coordinator)

The Year 11 IB Diploma Programme's four-day camp is designed to deepen their understanding of the Theory of Knowledge and the interconnected nature of their own learning and the disciplines they are studying in the IB Diploma Programme through immersive, real-world experiences. The camp enabled students to engage in activities that advanced their grasp of core concepts through practical application, cultural engagement, and scientific inquiry, fostering reflective, internationallyminded thinkers.

Students participated in culturally significant workshops led by Indigenous educators, including weaving, cultural interpretation bush walks, boomerang throwing, and reflective painting. These activities brought key Theory of Knowledge concepts—truth, perspective, power, and responsibility—into focus, highlighting how knowledge can be culturally embedded and interpreted through unique traditions and values. By linking the Theory of Knowledge concepts to Indigenous practices, students reflected on the origins, limitations, and interpretive nuances within different knowledge systems.

Students also had the opportunity to engage with their collaborative science project, taking an interdisciplinary scientific approach to solve a real-world problem in a bush setting. Students collaborated across scientific disciplines, conducting experiments that explored concepts such as evidence, responsibility, and justification. Integrating scientific inquiry with these broader concepts helps prepare students for future learning by grounding theoretical insights in hands-on research.

A visit to the Tidbinbilla Deep Space Complex added another dimension, exploring the role of technology in shaping knowledge acquisition. By examining how telescopes and scientific tools influence our understanding of the cosmos, students considered the impact of technology on the certainty, limitations, and evolution of knowledge.

Overall, the camp enriched students' Theory of Knowledge by linking classroom theory to real-world applications, inspiring them to critically evaluate and appreciate diverse perspectives.