Nayna Dhawan, IB Career-related Programme coordinator at Pathways School Noida, Uttar Pradesh, shares an inspiring story from one IB school in India.
Parents often ask, "What makes the IB Career-related Programme (CP) different?" In the past, I’d offer detailed explanations, but recently, I’ve simplified it: "It’s where students dive into real life every day." At Pathways School Noida, we believe in empowering students to become confident leaders of change, ambassadors of compassion, and adaptable global citizens by giving them the tools to succeed.
This mission came to life on 18 December 2024 with The Giving Gallery, a community engagement (previously called service-learning) project led by CP students. This unique initiative combined creativity and compassion to make a difference in our community. The event transformed forgotten artwork into stunning pieces and auctioned them to raise funds for the Chetna Welfare Society, an NGO supporting underprivileged children and individuals with special needs.
More than an auction, The Giving Gallery was a hands-on learning experience that demonstrated the heart of the CP: turning education into real-world action.
How "The Giving Gallery" came to life
The inspiration for The Giving Gallery began with a challenge. CP students needed to design a service-learning project that was meaningful, sustainable, and impactful. Guided by teachers and drawing from their career-related focus in design, they brainstormed ways to channel their creativity into a cause.
They discovered incomplete canvases in their art room—pieces left behind. Instead of letting them go to waste, they saw an opportunity to give these canvases new life and purpose. After many discussions and planning sessions, the students developed a bold idea—to curate and auction the reimagined artwork to benefit the community. Thus, The Giving Gallery was born, blending creativity, sustainability, and compassion into one incredible project.
Bringing the vision to life
Students worked together to transform their vision into reality. They collaborated with peers, mentors, and the wider school community to:
- Collect and repurpose old canvases into polished art pieces.
- Organize and promote a professional art auction.
- Manage event planning, budgets, and timelines.
The project grew beyond the art room, with students from the IB Diploma Programme, teachers, school leadership, parents, and even local supporters pitching in to help. The event became a school-wide movement, uniting everyone with a shared goal.
Real-life skills in action
The Giving Gallery embodied the CP’s values, allowing students to apply what they’ve learned in practical ways. Here are a few skills they mastered along the way:
- Communication: Students honed their ability to share their vision with diverse groups by creating promotional materials, delivering presentations, and engaging with parents and supporters.
- Collaboration: The project emphasized teamwork, as students divided tasks, respected different perspectives, and stayed focused on achieving a common goal.
- Problem-Solving: Students tackled challenges head-on, from selecting artwork and setting auction prices to managing logistics and overcoming tight deadlines.
- Entrepreneurship: Hosting the auction gave students hands-on experience with budgeting, financial planning, and event management, turning theory into practice.
- Sustainability: By repurposing unused materials, they embraced eco-friendly practices and reinforced the importance of managing resources responsibly.
This wasn’t just a school project—it was a transformative experience that allowed students to grow as individuals and as a team.
Reflections from the students
The students’ reflections captured the profound impact of The Giving Gallery:
- Daaksh Rajgarhia, CP Student: “The art auction was an amazing experience. It helped me think creatively to reimagine scraped paintings while also developing marketing skills through promoting the event to parents and friends.”
- Meher Housego, CP Student: “What was once a passion turned into a passion with a purpose. The process strengthened our teamwork and friendships and showed us how art can connect people and support those in need.”
- Tarushi Bansal, CP Student: “This event enhanced our teamwork and organizational skills and deepened our appreciation for how the arts can unite people for a meaningful cause.”
These reflections highlight the deeper purpose of service learning: cultivating empathy, critical thinking, and the confidence to lead change.
A legacy of creativity and compassion
The success of The Giving Gallery is a testament to the power of innovative learning. The event raised funds for a worthy cause and inspired students, parents, and faculty to see the potential for creativity and compassion to change lives.
As we look to the future, The Giving Gallery is a shining example of what can be achieved when education goes beyond the classroom. It reminds us that combining innovation with empathy can create ripples of kindness that extend far beyond our community.
