Empowering Students Through Innovation: Grade 10 Project Work at BCS
Our Grade 10 students are taking a bold and creative step into the future of education. As part of a city-wide initiative replacing the written component of the traditional MSA exam at Berlin Gymnasien, students now complete a media-supported project. At BCS, this project has been thoughtfully reimagined to include three equally weighted components: a practical or research-based project, a scientific presentation, and a written reflection.
Student Choice Meets Real-World Planning
Students are free to choose a project topic that has to be connected to a subject taught in Grade 10. All projects are defined as SMART goals to ensure feasibility. In the early planning phase, each student developed a detailed project description and a milestone plan—tools that helped them approach their work with structure and purpose.
Instead of writing a traditional report, students focused on hands-on, practical outcomes—many of which drew inspiration from the Frei Day concept, a movement promoting student-led, impact-oriented learning.
Skills That Matter
Throughout the project, students sharpened essential 21st-century skills: research techniques, time and self-management, communication, and collaboration. The project demanded a high degree of independence while also encouraging teamwork and critical thinking.
Mentorship and Support
Each student was paired with a mentor—typically the subject teacher whose field the project fell into. The mentors supported students throughout the six-month process. In addition, students received dedicated time during the school day: two weekly lessons over half a year. The Middle School Coordinator provided ongoing guidance and served as a key point of contact for all project groups.
A Technological Edge
A highlight of this year’s projects was the integration of cutting-edge technology. The school had access to four “Gadgets of the Future”: a hologram machine, a Holo-Circle, HoloLens mixed reality glasses, and Loona, an AI-powered pet robot. Three project groups successfully integrated these tools into their work and presentations, demonstrating the program’s innovative and tech-forward approach.
A Community-Wide Showcase
On April 30, the school hosted its first Project Exhibition, where students presented the results of their work to classmates, teachers, and members of the school community. The variety and depth of projects—ranging from scientific experiments to creative prototypes—reflected the dedication and imagination of the students.
Anna Honcharenko, for example, presented her homemade biodegradable plastic project. She created small plastic bags using corn starch and other natural materials based on recipes she developed herself.
Mia Gagnon Farge built a model of a species-appropriate aquarium, applying scientific research and sustainable design principles.
Meanwhile, Jarl Zilmer and Friedrich Wende developed and designed a mathematics website tailored to the school’s internal curriculum, offering custom learning materials and interactive content.
Learning That Leaves a Mark
The project has left a strong impression on the school community. Grade 10 students could be found working in the aula—discussing, researching, building, and rehearsing. A student-led fundraiser was launched to support the development of particularly ambitious or experimental ideas, such as building a drone for emergency delivery (e.g. for medication) or a model of the school’s 4th floor redesigned with psychological principles in mind to enhance learning and mental well-being.
A Promising First Year
This was the first year the media-supported project format was implemented at Berlin Gymnasien, and its impact at BCS is already clear: students are engaged, motivated, and inspired. With its unique blend of academic rigor, personal responsibility, and digital innovation, this project is shaping the future of learning—and giving students the tools to help shape the world.
