Real-World Learning in Action: Grade 9 PRAXIS Students Explore ‘Can Truth Be Saved?’

Earlier in March, we were delighted to welcome parents to a special Learning Celebration for Grade 9 PRAXIS students here at ISKL. The event marked the culmination of their recent BluePrint, Can Truth Be Saved?, one of four interdisciplinary learning experiences that comprise the program. Each BluePrint runs for approximately six to eight weeks and invites students to explore complex real-world questions. In this case, students tackled one of the most challenging questions of our time: how do we know what is true?

PRAXIS BluePrints are built around authentic challenges. Using the design thinking process, students investigate complex issues, consider multiple perspectives, and explore how their ideas might contribute to meaningful change. The Learning Celebration offered students a chance to share not only what they learned, but also how their thinking developed along the way.

During the event, each group of students shared their reflections on the nature of truth in today’s information-rich world. Their presentations revealed thoughtful, nuanced thinking as they explored how truth can be shaped by media, technology, bias, and perspective. Students spoke with clarity and confidence about the questions they examined and the insights they gained through their research and discussions.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the “Truth Exhibit”, an interactive gallery where PRAXIS students guided parents through visual representations of their learning. Each exhibit captured a different dimension of the inquiry. Some groups explored how misinformation spreads online, while others examined the role of journalism, algorithms, or personal bias in shaping what people believe. As students walked parents through their displays, they explained their research, shared their discoveries, and reflected on the complexities of navigating truth in a rapidly changing world.

For parents, the exhibit provided a glimpse into the depth of learning taking place within PRAXIS. Students were not simply presenting information. They were asking difficult questions, examining competing perspectives, and thoughtfully reflecting on their own assumptions.

Grade 9 marks the beginning of High School at ISKL and PRAXIS is one of two learning pathways students can choose from. They can either follow the traditional model where each subject is taught independently, or they can join PRAXIS, an innovative interdisciplinary program that uses a problem-based learning approach within a smaller, collaborative community.

PRAXIS reimagines the learning experience by integrating subjects and anchoring learning in authentic, real-world challenges. Students work across disciplines, applying their knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts while collaborating closely with peers and teachers. The program emphasizes design thinking, creative exploration, and the ability to approach complex problems from multiple perspectives.

Many of the challenges explored in PRAXIS connect to global issues, drawing inspiration from frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the societal shifts associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (World Economic Forum). By engaging with these themes, students deepen their understanding of the world while building the skills they will need for the future.

Equally important is the emphasis on reflection and agency. Students are encouraged to think carefully about their role in the world and how their ideas and actions can make a positive difference. Through collaboration, inquiry, and problem-solving, they develop both confidence and empathy.

The Learning Celebration was a powerful reminder of what happens when students are given the time and space to explore complex ideas. As parents moved through the Truth Exhibit and listened to students share their thinking, it was clear that our Grade 9 PRAXIS learners are engaging thoughtfully with the questions that shape our world.

To learn more about the PRAXIS program and how it empowers students to tackle real-world challenges through interdisciplinary learning, click here.