By Emily Wilson Brenner, High School English Teacher, Theory of Knowledge Teacher, Urban Engagement Coordinator, The International School of San Francisco.
We’ve all experienced awe—that sense of being in the presence of something beautiful or profound that challenges how we see the world. But what if we treated awe not just as a personal experience, but as a powerful educational tool?
Psychologist Dacher Keltner defines awe as “the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world.” His research shows that awe isn’t just an emotional response—it also has cognitive and physiological effects that can support student learning, engagement, and well-being.
Why awe matters for learning
Awe reduces stress, increases focus, and activates the vagus nerve, which supports both physical and emotional health. It quiets the brain’s default mode network—where self-focused thought lives—helping students become more open, attentive, and collaborative.
In practical terms, awe:
- Increases motivation and connection to learning
- Enhances critical thinking and careful information processing
- Encourages empathy and prosocial behavior
- Supports creativity, especially in problem-solving
Awe helps learners move from surface knowledge to deeper understanding. It also aligns with the IB learner profile: students become more curious, reflective, caring, and open-minded when they’re inspired by something bigger than themselves.
Where awe fits in the IB curriculum
The IB framework already supports the integration of awe through its emphasis on inquiry, global contexts, and interdisciplinary learning. As teachers, we can intentionally guide students towards experiences that transcend their current perspective.
Some practical ideas:
- TOK: Use big questions to explore paradigm shifts and moral complexity. Employ systems thinking to explore the interconnectedness of knowledge.
- Science: Highlight life cycles, the elegance of natural systems, or discoveries that changed the world.
- Literature & Arts: Engage with powerful stories, visuals, or performances that stir emotion and highlight moral beauty—acts of kindness, charity, self-sacrifice, virtuosity, or courage.
- Group Projects: Encourage collective effort that fosters shared purpose and collective joy.
- Outdoor learning or travel: Experiences in nature or cultural settings often combine multiple “wonders” of awe—nature, life cycles, collective effervescence, and visual design.
Even storytelling and multimedia can create a shared emotional experience that sparks awe and deepens classroom engagement.
Awe and adolescents
Adolescents like our MYP and DP students are developmentally primed for awe. They're forming their identities and seeking connection and meaning. Moments of moral beauty—witnessing courage, kindness, or resilience—can be especially powerful at this age.
As educators, we can help students name and reflect on these moments. Journals, discussions, and reflection prompts in TOK or Literature are great ways to help students recognize when they’ve been moved by something larger than themselves.
Awe for educators
Finally, we need awe too. The last few years have pushed many educators to the edge of burnout. The good news? Awe is accessible. Short moments—watching the sunrise, hearing a student’s insight, marveling at a work of art, walking in nature—can restore our sense of purpose.
Cultivating our own awe doesn’t just benefit us; it models curiosity, presence, and joy for our students.
Final thoughts
Awe can feel like a luxury in a structured curriculum, but it’s not. It enhances learning, builds connections, and brings joy back into our classrooms. The IB’s emphasis on inquiry, complexity, and global thinking makes it the perfect space to embrace awe as part of our everyday teaching.
Let’s make room for the vast, the beautiful, and the unexpected.
Let’s teach with awe.
Key Takeaways for IB teachers:
- Awe boosts learning, creativity, and empathy.
- It supports IB values like curiosity, open-mindedness, and reflection.
- Awe can be sparked through inquiry, storytelling, art, nature, and collaboration.
- Teachers need awe too—it supports well-being and authentic connection.
