Embedded Files
Beyond Existing - Module
YVR, Canada 2024
Driving Question:
How can we apply our learning of indigenous environmental advocacy in Canada to create a sustainable NGO in our home country?
Summative:
A written NGO proposal, briefing essential components of its key structures, goals, projects, approaches, and stakeholders. Alongside this, a “charity ball” simulation activity, where module summative groups will propose their NGO ideas in a semi-social setting to gain funding from the guests, who, in representing different stakeholders, have different amounts of “money & resources” to invest.
POWER FIT 4 PURPOSE:
For our summative, we were required to organise a charity ball where politicians, business executives, and community members were invited to view our NGO presentations. Later in the day, we had the opportunity to speak with them and discuss how we could secure their support in the form of financial assistance, media coverage, or community and political backing. It took considerable thought to explain the project in a way that would maintain the attention of visitors and listeners. I gained an understanding of the value of fundraising and some skills that may assist in obtaining funding from charity balls. Throughout the process, persistence and perseverance were prevalent. At first, I found it intimidating and challenging to discuss my concept with those who aren't as interested in the subject as I am. This summative greatly enhanced my networking and communication abilities. It enabled me to engage in varied discussions with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including government officials and political figures, community leaders, philanthropists, and investors. To conclude, although it was challenging to present my project to everyone at the charity ball event, I managed to gain some new perspectives and skills that can be applied outside of the educational space and extended into the real world, where there are numerous opportunities to assist different communities or address various issues. I hope to deepen my knowledge in communication and community development, and continue to progress in awareness and advocacy for social issues, as well as learn how to effectively assist in addressing them.
Capoeira- Module
SSA, Brazil 2024
Driving Question:
How does capoeira
embody the essence of
Afro-Brazilian culture
and history?
Module Highlight:
We had the privilege of making our own berimbaus in Pelourinho. The instrument-making workshop was guided by Mestre Lua, who gave us insight into Berimbau making, how it is a very particular experience, as you essentially make the instrument from scratch and choose the different pieces to help construct it. It became quite an intimate process, picking the stick, the cabaça, the dobrão, and the baqueta. The placement of the cabaça is important, as it must be aligned with your stomach to "distort" the sound by trapping it inside. There are many factors that contribute to making a good berimbau, and from an outsider's perspective, many of those qualities get overlooked.
Summative:
A choreographed performance, that expresses our personality and a Capoeira Batizado event showcasing developed skills. The choreographed piece aimed to showcase growth in capoeira, starting off with oldest form of the martial art, Capoeira Angola and ending with Regional and aspects of Contemporânea, a modern adaptation of the game and improvisation.
capoeira summative.mov
WeXplore Reflection:
We had the privilege of gaining more knowledge about capoeira, from the practice to its history and philosophy, at Centro Educacional Mestre Bimba (CEMB), a world-renowned eco-friendly capoeira farm situated in Cachoeiras de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro. Under the guidance of Mestre Camisa, we learned about the origins of capoeira through its foundational styles, Capoeira Angola, Regional, and how they have been interpreted in the modern, globalised fusion of Capoeira Contemporânea. From early mornings to late evenings, we studied and practised the martial art form with students from all over Brazil, both in person and virtually. We developed and applied traditional percussion and instruments, including pandeiro (tambourine), berimbau (musical bow), atabaque (drum), and different rhythm patterns (toques) played on the berimbau, such as Samba de Roda, Toque de Angola, Toque de São Bento Grande da Regional, and Toque de Benguela. We concentrated on technique, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, and defence mechanisms integrated into the roda, a circular formation that serves as the centre of the art form. I cherish this experience because it broadened my understanding of capoeira and elevated my appreciation for the art form, the fusion of cultures and Afro-Brazilian influences, as well as the community that is built each time a roda de capoeira is formed.
GeoMosaic - Module
HAN, Vietnam 2025
Driving Question:
How might we analyse the relationship between Vietnam's geography and history, and how it shapes its international relations?
Module Highlight:
For our weXplore, we had the opportunity to travel to Hue. We spend the week exploring a landscape characterised by many Buddhist pagodas and a rich history in the nation's enduring cultural and spiritual capital. Our cultural exploration continued through to Thien Mu Pagoda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ancient Long Hung Church in Quang Tri, a nationally recognised relic and one of the few remaining structures in the town that survived the immense bombing. We ended our journey at the strategically located Vinh Moc Tunnels, where we saw the underground system that enabled families to maintain life and connect to the sea during times of conflict. Being underground in conditions comparable to those of people living during the height of the Vietnam War was a thrilling experience and also demonstrated the value of place-based learning. I could have easily learned about the living circumstances, such as the lack of oxygen and light present in the tunnels, from a textbook. But I had the honour of visiting the actual site and viewing many historical items and war relics at the on-site museum.
Summative:
Create a written statement outlining the position of your organisation on a current issue, adding visual elements to represent the statement.
China X Vietnam Hydropower Initiative Statement
For decades, both China and Vietnam have utilised coal-fired power plants to help meet the countries’ demands which contribute negatively to air pollution. Alongside this, industrialisation has played a significant part in decreasing the quality of air though construction and manufacturing. The Southeast Asian countries are large traders not just through Asia, but worldwide, meaning a large amount of transportation and urbanisation has resulted in contributing to exhaust emissions from vehicles. These are all impactful factors that have left China and Vietnam struggling to manage the constraints of poor air quality.
One major global health risk is air pollution, with illnesses like cardiovascular problems and respiratory diseases being a few examples that have left China and Vietnam with global repercussions. It’s responsible for almost 2 million deaths in China per year, with Vietnam awarded the title of the 2nd most polluted country in the ASEAN region and 22nd worst air quality internationally. A decline in international trade, business and tourism could be seen if this matter isn’t addressed.
Both nations proudly possess an abundance in river systems and mountainous terrain, as well as high rainfall, allowing ample space for development in hydropower. Natural disasters such as floods and typhoons are persistent in the Southeast Asian area, thus the implementation of hydropower could be an asset in managing flood control and water management, regulating flow of water in rivers. This also opens doors to potential job opportunities especially in rural mountainous areas, offering a chance for economic growth. China has invested heavily in large-scale hydropower projects such as the Three Gorges Dam, stretching to the Yangtze River, generating hydroelectric power.
By fostering collaborative efforts in knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and technical support, there could be a chance to unlock the immense potential of river basins such as the Mekong Delta, Yangtze River and other shared waterways. This partnership will not only bolster sustainable energy security for both nations but also serve as a beacon of regional cooperation, demonstrating how shared resources can be harnessed for mutual prosperity and environmental stewardship. This is an opportunity to build a future where clean energy powers progress, and where the spirit of collaboration strengthens the bonds between our nations and secures a brighter future for generations to come.
Pho-nomenal Origins -Personal Project
HAN, Vietnam 2025
Hành Trình Hương Vị - A Culinary Journey:
With my summative, I aimed to create my own version of beef phở, following the recipe from my cooking class; however, I would like to execute it independently. This will potentially be a challenge, as I relied heavily on the cooking guide in my initial cooking class. I do think I will be able to produce and present a tasty bowl of pho, and I am not doubtful of the cooking skills I’ve developed during this project.
I added elements such as star anise, black cardamom, and cinnamon to the broth, as I really enjoyed the flavours that emerged in my phở from the cooking course, as well as the phở I tried in the Old Quarter. I also intended to make a more “citrusy” phở, adding a bit more lime to the broth.
In total, I managed to create three different versions: traditional beef noodle pho, phở bò, vegetarian phở chay, and “dry pho”, also known as phở cuốn. All of the food and sauces seen in the first picture, aside from the fruit, were prepared by me with some assistance from my mentors. I was quite proud of the result of my summative and how it turned out, as well as the flavours that came up.
Shaping Renaissance - Module
FLR, Italy 2025
Driving Question:
How can we use our understanding of the science and art of the Renaissance era to create a 3D artistic representation that captures human movement?
Caravaggio’s
The Musicians (1595-1596)
Module Highlight:
During our Online Learning, in preparation for our time in Italy, we had the option to conduct a comparative study of two artworks: one from the Renaissance period and one contemporary. Using the knowledge I gained from OL, I looked at key elements in art as well as understanding the Social, Historical and Cultural contexts of an artwork, to conduct a comparative analysis that explores how Caravaggio’s The Musicians (1595-1596), and Hend Al-Mansour’s Dark Lovers (2008) navigate the complexities of queer desire and intimacy within the restrictive religious frameworks of the Renaissance and modern Islamic society.
Hend Al-Mansour’s
Dark Lovers (2008)
Summative:
Create a 3D artistic representation that captures the essence of human movement, drawing inspiration from the anatomical precision and artistic techniques of Renaissance sculpture.
Hostage. Artist Statement
Upon completing our sculpture and placing it in its final position, my summative group and I took one last look and unanimously agreed on the name: Hostage. The sculpture represents the suppressed emotions and inner experiences that many people struggle to express in today’s world. As society moves toward a future where human beings are valued more for their productivity than their humanity seen as statistics or machines we wanted to reflect this shift through our art. The materials and colours used in Hostage play a key role in conveying this message. The sculpture features boxy, metallic legs that resemble robotic limbs, symbolizing the mechanical expectations placed on people. In contrast, the upper torso contains white balloons enclosed in a loose string “cage.” The loose string hints at the possibility of breaking free from societal standards that bind us. The arms, made with materials that vaguely mimic human form, reflect an attempt to resemble humanity, but never fully succeed. The white used on the cage and balloons stands for purity, connection, and emotional depth. This contrasts with the silver arms and legs, cold, industrial, and impersonal. Together, they create a visual tension between the human and the robotic. The rigid, boxy legs give the sculpture physical stability, while light materials in the torso, balloons and string emphasise emotional vulnerability. In the end, Hostage embodies conflict between what we feel and what we’re allowed to express. It’s a reminder that we are more than just tools for progress, but emotional, complex beings. And sometimes, we need to break the strings that bind us.
Terra Forma - Personal Project
FLR, Italy 2025
Driving Question:
How can I explore the influence of pottery on Italian art history and cultural expression, and evaluate the involvement of geometric principles in craftsmanship?
Summative:
Exploring Italian art history and culture through pottery and geometric principles, incorporating such ideals into a final ceramic piece.
Summative Reflection:
For my summative, I wanted to do some type of vase that had a bit of an abstract approach than typical ones seen in various stores or workshops. The idea of carving out parts of the vase to give a bit more texture as I was very interested in the art of incising or sgraffito. I also wanted to take advantage of the fact that one can manipulate the shape of clay, thus I incorporated it through my piece, adding a bit of a slant and more shape to the vase. I took a lot of inspiration from the human body and a few bodily functions to further add symbolism into my piece. Most of it sparks from the oesophagus, a main vessel in the transportation of food to the stomach in the digestive system. I believe it’s one of the most overlooked organ in the body systems. In a way, I’m using this summative piece as a way to highlight the muscular tube that is the oesophagus. My ceramic piece began working carefully about maintaining structure throughout the piece. It was a bit of a learning curve creating the base of the vase, starting with a very thin wall which left no space to build on more. This helped visualise and show the importance of accurately distributing natural thickness all over the vase or any piece when doing ceramics. After discovering this, it then became easier to further coil and shape the rest of the vase. Finally, I managed to successfully create the ceramic piece, incorporating the learnt skills of incising and coiling.
Mainane: A Storyteller's Journey - Module
MAU, Botswana 2025
Driving Question:
How might we combine storytelling traditions and scientific research to encapsulate the interactions between human and wildlife systems in Botswana?
Module Highlight:
During our weXplore, we ventured to Khwai, a community in Botswana's North West district, and engaged in a hands-on field experience that included data collection, GIS mapping, camera trapping, and game drives. The experience provided an in-depth grasp of Botswana's ecosystems, wildlife movements, and the significance of mapping in conservation narrative. We collaborated with EcoExist, a non-governmental organisation that promotes peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants in Botswana. Through them, we discovered how Ecoexist gathers and applies field data to resolve conflicts between humans and wildlife, and we investigated how Geographic Information Systems help transform that data into compelling conservation stories in surveys we created, to interpret collected data from our game drives.
Survey Demo Video
VS: Tshiamo M - Mainane WeXplore Survey 123
Summative:
A mixture of science and storytelling, looking at human-animal relation using oral storytelling tradition and scientific data to form a presentation
Mosepele ya rona - Our Journey:
My summative's initial brief was rather ambiguous, allowing for the exploration of the intersections through storytelling and science. Early on in the brainstorming process, I decided I wanted to focus more on attempting to visualise the suffering around the loss of a mother or matriarch. The experiences I heard while visiting Elephant Havens, an orphanage in Botswana dedicated to rescuing abandoned orphaned elephants, were as a major source of inspiration for my work. The majority of the videos included in the montage or compilation are clips that I took with my own devices, such as my phone or digital camera, in an attempt to capture Botswana through my two months there and to create a nearly realistic concept for the story or poem's subject matter. It highlights the potential origins of elephant corridors in northern Botswana and the psychological impacts of poaching and elephant killings within a herd and the question lingering being, "What happens next?" " Where and how do we even begin to fathom the loss of a member after an invasion of one's habitat?
Tshiamo M: VS - Mainane Summative Montage.MP4
Semillas de Saberes - Module
OAX, Mexico 2025
Driving Question:
To what extent can we integrate Oaxacan cultural knowledge and wellness practices in everyday life in a holistic way?
Module Highlight:
During our visit to Oaxaca, I had the opportunity to participate in a traditional temazcal sweat lodge with Víctor Chávez, a Shaman who specialises in curanderismo, shamanism, and plant medicine. He shared his vast knowledge of the mythology, history, and therapeutic powers of these practices with our module and explored indigenous practices that promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The sweat lodge featured traditional hymns and rhythmic clapping, with medicinal herb-infused steam generated by pouring water over hot volcanic rock. It was a deeply healing physical and spiritual cleanse, as well as a test of our resilience as we were seated in the dome-shaped structure with little to no steady flow of oxygen. This was an experience I don't take for granted, and a unique one for us all, which drew us together as we attempted to support each other through the hardships we encountered while enduring the rounds spent in the sweat lodge.
Summative:
Create a self-care product based on Oaxacan medical knowledge with a holistic wellness product.
flow & flourish. - remedies for dysmenorrhea.
Since the start of the module, I had set the intention of creating something tailored for the female reproductive system, and through this process, I realised I have an increasing need to create something to protect the womb, reproductive organs, and muscles. As a developing society, the female reproductive system continues to be under-recognised in providing continuous and long-term solutions or even attention to the various problems experienced in the body system, such as ovarian cysts, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) and infertility. Menstruation and childbirth are 2 of the most powerful yet delicate processes within people possessing the female reproductive system; however, in society currently, these are constantly overlooked, or given a brief moment of exposure before they're forgotten. With my summative, I aimed to apply the knowledge I gained from a basic yet well-rounded understanding of traditional Mesoamerican practices and plants, as well as their medicinal and healing qualities, to alleviate symptoms of menstrual cramps and inflammation in the inner, involuntary areas. Through my herbal tea, mother tincture, and soothing balm, I aimed to shed light on these products and hopefully continue by promoting the benefits of the plants incorporated into my three different summative pieces. From hibiscus and rue plants, with their anti-inflammatory and purifying properties, to ginger and lavender, with their pain-relieving and antispasmodic abilities, I successfully created remedies for dysmenorrhea, not just based on personal belief and experience, but also external opinions affirm my argument.
Śāṭikā Sūtra - Module
BOM, India 2026
Driving Question:
How might students use sacred geometry, history and innovation in the creation of a traditional Indian garment?
Module Highlight:
As part of our preparation for our time in Mumbai, we were assigned to research and summarise the diverse sari styles found across the states of India. The sari, one of the oldest garments in Indian history, remains an essential element in wardrobes. It consists of gracefully draped lengths of silk or cotton fabric worn around the body. I focused on 12 states and featured them in an ArcGIS StoryMap. This StoryMap not only maps the geographic origins of each sari style but also includes a brief comparison and contrast of two selected styles.
Summative:
Design and create a traditional indian garment using both traditional crafts and modern techniques, incorporating cultural symbolism and geometric patterns.
Refined, Resilient, Rooted.
My saree is an ode to the deeply rooted connections between my home country, South Africa and host country, India. It’s a statement piece that aims to highlight the history of Indentured Labourers and free migrants who were coerced and forced to perform countless acts of labour. For half a century, approximately 200 000 Indians arrived in under the scheme of indenture making a total of 384 trips from Chennai, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata, Madras and Bihar to the Kwazulu-Natal, the southeast shoreline of South Africa. This intricate and multifaceted relationship served as the introduction to the diversity of cultures found in the southeastern hub, particularly in Durban, a well-established city with the country holding the eighth Indian overseas diaspora.
I strived to incorporate much symbolism to the piece that tied to the two geographically distant, yet culturally connected nations. From the choices of motifs, leaning more towards symbols relating to nature, as the Eastern Ghat states of India, and Southeastern coastline of South Africa both share lush forestry and thriving nature. The pallu holds a hidden message with the gold dots sprinkled throughout the extended piece of fabric. It aims to represent sugar granules, tying to the mass production of sugarcane from the constant and consistent work of indentured labourers in KwaZulu-Natal during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The structure of the saree was strategically placed in a way of being able to view the shimmery yellow motifs all throughout the folds and layering of the saree, with the elongated and vertical patterned lines, demonstrating the consistency throughout the piece, and the pallu sharing some of the yellow themes, aiming not to overwhelm the overall saree layout but adding a small detail. The dual-coloured garment embodies the Indian principle of yellow, conveying joy, prosperity, and knowledge. And maroon, serving as the fabric's foundation and symbolising prosperity and fresh beginnings. This is demonstrated by the significant changes that free migrants and indentured workers underwent after arriving in South Africa, starting the lengthy history of Indo-African ties and rich, multifaceted culture.
Pynx Roots - Module
ATH, Greece 2026
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