The Driving Question

How can we use mathematical concepts to create visual representations that capture the essence and diversity of Brazilian music?

The Project: Visualizing the Numbers in Music

In response to this question, Huxley developed a computational and cultural exploration of music, transforming sound into data-driven visualizations that reveal its hidden mathematical structures while honoring its cultural roots.

The Conceptual Goal

Huxley challenges the idea that music is only what we hear, proposing instead that music exists across multiple forms such as video, sheet music, and MIDI. His goal was to redefine music as a combination of human experience, cultural identity, and structured patterns.

Mathematics & Technology

Using Fourier transforms and programming, Huxley converted audio signals into numerical data. These numbers were then analyzed and translated into visual representations, allowing patterns like rhythm, melody, and harmony to be seen rather than just heard.

Decoding the Visuals

The resulting visualizations communicate multiple musical elements simultaneously:

• The central spectrum represents the frequencies present in the sound.
• Color indicates root notes and tonal shifts.
• Texture reflects noise levels and rhythmic complexity and spiral shapes and spacing reveal drum patterns and timing structures.
  

Cultural Context & Meaning

To ground his project in lived experience, Huxley explored the deep cultural significance of music in Brazil:

• Music as Identity: In Brazilian culture, particularly in Bahia, music is inseparable from daily life, history, and spirituality.
• Spiritual Foundations: Through Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion, rhythm becomes a form of connection between people and deities (orixás), each associated with specific musical patterns.
• Celebration & Community: Events like Carnival demonstrate music as a collective expression of joy, resistance, and cultural pride, where rhythm and movement unify communities.

Final Product

The project culminated in a presentation combining cultural analysis, mathematical modeling, and interactive visualizations.
Huxley demonstrated how computational tools can uncover the structural patterns of music while maintaining its human and cultural significance.

The Summative Reflection

He concludes that while there are “numbers in the music,” music itself cannot be reduced to data alone. It is ultimately defined by the people behind it—their experiences, emotions, and cultural contexts—making music both a mathematical structure and a deeply human expression.

The Driving Question

How can I design and create a mobile app for my NGO that allows us to educate people and easily engage followers and volunteers?

The Project: Connecting Communities Through Code

In response to his driving question, Sarfo developed a mobile application aimed at addressing digital isolation among youth in Ghana.

Despite widespread access to smartphones and technology, many young people lack access to relevant, accessible information about their communities, their country, and the wider world. Sarfo identified this gap not as a lack of tools, but as a lack of connection.

The Core Idea: His solution was to design an app that:

• Shares curated news and global trends in a simple format
• Promotes local and international events with accessible registration
• Creates a digital hub for community interaction and knowledge sharing
• Provides access to free learning resources and courses

By using tools already present in users’ daily lives, the project focused on accessibility rather than complexity.

Design, Development & Iteration

Sarfo’s process followed a structured cycle of learning, designing, building, and iterating.

Learning the System:
He began by identifying his target audience, youth aged roughly 16–24 in Ghana, and researching the devices they use. This led him to select technologies that would allow cross-platform development for both Android and iOS within a limited timeframe.

Designing for Impact:
Through multiple iterations, Sarfo refined his UI/UX approach, moving from text-heavy, unclear layouts to a more intuitive and visually engaging interface. His design principles focused on simplicity, consistency, clarity, and efficiency, ensuring the app would be easy to navigate and meaningful for users.

Building the App:
Using React Native, he developed the app from scratch, managing authentication systems, data storage, and version control.

Iterating Through Feedback:
Sarfo created a structured feedback system using shared documents where testers could report issues and suggest improvements. This allowed him to continuously refine the app, addressing bugs, improving usability, and adapting features based on real user experience.

Challenges & Breakthroughs

The development process presented both technical and creative challenges.

Technical Obstacles:
Debugging complex code and resolving “mysterious bugs”
Managing authentication systems
Maintaining code stability and accessibility across devices

Design Challenges:
Translating ideas into clear, user-friendly interfaces
Balancing functionality with simplicity
Through persistence and iteration, Sarfo moved from early prototypes to a fully functional application ready for user testing, marking a significant milestone in both technical skill and problem-solving ability.

Final Product: A Platform for Access

The final app serves as a centralized platform where users can access news, events, and educational resources while connecting with their community.

The Impact:

• Increased awareness of local and global issues among youth
• Strengthened community engagement through shared events and information
• Improved confidence and access to opportunities for young users

By transforming existing technology into a meaningful tool, the app begins to address the issue of digital isolation at its root.

The Summative Reflection

For Sarfo, this project extended beyond coding or technical development. It became a way to rethink access, equity, and the role of technology in everyday life.

What started as a passion for programming evolved into a solution with real-world impact. Through this process, he not only developed technical expertise, but also a deeper understanding of how technology can bring people together.

As he reflected, the goal was never just to build an app, but to ensure that young people are not left out simply because they lack access to information.

The Driving Question

How can I develop my understandings on the global coffee industry and its local variations through primary & secondary research?

The Project: Coffee as a Learning Journey

In response to his driving question, Halca developed a multi-year body of work using coffee as a framework to explore global systems, culture, and identity.

The Research Foundation: Beginning with a mastery project, Halca investigated five key areas: the history of coffee, production systems, seed-to-cup processes, producing countries, and the global coffee industry. Through over 20 secondary sources and primary café observations across multiple countries, he built a comprehensive understanding of coffee as both a cultural ritual and an economic force.

Systems & Equity: Expanding on this foundation, he conducted a comparative research study on coffee trade systems in Ethiopia. By analyzing traditional commodity markets alongside certifications like Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance, Halca evaluated their impact on smallholder farmers. His findings revealed that even systems designed to promote equity can carry bias, often highlighting success while overlooking limitations. This reflects core principles of industry analysis, where understanding both opportunities and constraints is essential.

Production & Sustainability: Shifting focus to Brazil, Halca explored sustainable farming practices such as agroforestry and examined how land ownership and environmental systems shape coffee production. This work emphasized that innovation in coffee begins at the level of farmers and ecosystems, not just in cafés.

Final Product: From Knowledge to Action

The culmination of Halca’s learning extended beyond research into community impact.

The Service Initiative: In Indonesia, he designed and led a coffee workshop for young adults from an orphanage, addressing gaps between education and employment. The workshop covered brewing techniques, flavor profiling, and coffee tasting, creating access to skills and new opportunities.

The Reflection: Through this experience, Halca recognized that knowledge gains value when it is shared. Coffee became not only a subject of study, but a tool for connection, access, and empowerment.

Driving Question:

How can we use multimedia literary expression to tell the story of conservation of biodiversity in Brazil?

Module Summary:

The teacher-led module “Narrative of Life” explores how storytelling can be used to communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation in Brazil. Guided by the driving question, how can we use multimedia literary pieces to tell the story of conservation of biodiversity in Brazil, students investigate environmental issues through creative expression, combining research with artistic interpretation to raise awareness about human impact on nature.

Throughout the module, students participate in a range of field experiences, workshops, and expert-led sessions that deepen their understanding of conservation and storytelling. Learners engage with professionals such as an agroforestry project leader, take part in poetry and vocal workshops, and join a boat expedition with a marine bioacoustics expert. A key highlight of the module is a week spent in the Amazon, where students gain firsthand insight into biodiversity and conservation efforts, supported by local organizations and experts.

In their final projects, students create immersive multimedia literary pieces that communicate environmental narratives in creative ways. These projects include performances, writing, and audiovisual storytelling that aim to inspire awareness and action. For example, students present works such as a song that personifies nature to highlight the impact of human exploitation, using artistic expression to convey complex environmental issues. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the module emphasizes the power of storytelling in driving meaningful change and fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.

Driving Question:

How can I communicate the results of my own study into the impacts of commercial whale watching on marine mammals to a scientific/non-scientific audience?

The Project: Cetacean Research & Scientific Communication

In response to the driving question, Shangrila X. developed a year-long mastery project titled “Everywhere and Nowhere,” exploring cetaceans and the relationship between marine mammal behavior and human activity. The project sits at the intersection of marine biology, behavioral science, and scientific communication, combining research, field experiences, and data analysis.

Through this work, Shangrila investigated how scientists study whale populations using tools such as photo identification, spatial data, and emerging technologies. A central focus of the project examined the behavioral impacts of commercial whale watching, particularly in the Salish Sea, while also exploring how these findings can be effectively communicated to different audiences.

The Design Goal

Working from a self-defined vision, the student aimed to design and conduct a research-informed study on the impacts of commercial whale watching, while developing multiple methods to communicate findings to both scientific and general audiences.

Creative Direction:
The project blended scientific research with storytelling and communication, translating complex marine science concepts into accessible formats.

Production Process:
Shangrila engaged in an iterative process of research, fieldwork, and skill-building. This included completing the Bigg’s 201 course with the Orca Behavior Institute, participating in field observations, and developing technical skills in GIS mapping and statistical analysis using R.

Final Outputs:
The project resulted in a research-informed body of work including data analysis (GIS maps and datasets), scientific writing, and exploratory communication formats aimed at both expert and public audiences.

Final Product: A Research & Communication Project

The Assessment:
A comprehensive mastery project combining marine research, spatial data analysis, and scientific communication, supported by documented coursework, field notes, and a process portfolio.

Academic Component:
Completion of the Bigg’s 201 course through the Orca Behavior Institute, alongside independent research into cetacean behavior, GIS analysis, and statistical exploration using R.

The Summative Reflection:
The student reflected on the challenges of conducting independent research in a complex and multi-perspective field. Through the process, Shangrila developed stronger critical thinking skills, particularly in questioning assumptions and engaging with scientific uncertainty. The project also strengthened confidence in both research and communication, highlighting the importance of making science accessible. Moving forward, Shangrila aims to deepen technical skills in data analysis while continuing to explore how marine science can inspire broader public understanding and conservation efforts.

Driving Question:

How can we improve earthquakes preparedness in Vancouver through collaboration and innovation?

Module Summary:

The teacher-led module “Quake Quest” explores the science, history, and societal impact of earthquakes in Vancouver and the surrounding region. Guided by the driving question, how can we improve earthquake preparedness in Vancouver through collaboration and innovation, students investigate the risks associated with seismic activity and the strategies communities use to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. The module emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, combining science, mathematics, history, and technology to better understand earthquake preparedness.

Throughout the module, students learn from guest speakers, field experiences, and hands-on investigations that deepen their understanding of earthquakes and disaster response. Students explore Indigenous knowledge through stories such as the Thunderbird and Whale, which help explain natural phenomena and preserve historical records of seismic events. They also receive training in emergency preparedness from Christine Bodnarchuk of the BC Earthquake Alliance, learning essential safety practices such as “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Additional speakers introduce topics including search-and-rescue operations with trained dogs, artificial intelligence in disaster response, and the role of satellite data in detecting ground movement after earthquakes.

Students also participate in experiential learning opportunities, including visits to local geological landmarks along the Sea-to-Sky corridor and the Museum of Anthropology, where they explore both the geological causes of earthquakes and their cultural and historical impacts. In their final assessments, students apply their learning by creating tabletop games that incorporate earthquake science and probability concepts, as well as developing AI-based proposals aimed at improving earthquake preparedness, response, and recovery. Through these projects, students demonstrate how collaboration, technology, and education can help communities better prepare for future seismic events.

Driving Question:

How can we understand the impact of equity and Canadian policies on the unhoused populations of Vancouver to propose new policies?

Module Summary:

The teacher-led module “Roof Rights” explores the challenges of housing affordability and homelessness in Vancouver. Guided by the driving question, how can we understand the impact of equity and Canadian policies on Vancouver’s homeless population in order to propose new policies, students investigate the social, economic, and political factors that shape housing access in the city. The module encourages learners to analyze real-world systems and develop policy-based solutions to address the housing and homelessness crisis.

Throughout the module, students conduct independent research, field visits, and discussions with experts to better understand the issue. Learners visit sites such as the Chinatown Foundation and East Hastings, where they observe initiatives focused on supporting unhoused individuals and revitalizing communities. They also explore other areas of Vancouver, including Deep Cove, to examine the contrast between neighborhoods with high livability and those facing significant housing challenges. These experiences help students understand how access to services, resources, and inclusive infrastructure shapes quality of life in urban environments.

Students also learn from guest speakers and researchers who share insights into homelessness, drug policy, and social support systems in Vancouver. Speakers include filmmaker Dominic Streeter, author Travis Lupick, and researcher Jing Xue, who discuss topics such as substance use, safe injection sites, and experimental housing initiatives. The module culminates with students developing policy proposals aimed at improving support systems for unhoused populations, addressing areas such as community centers, rehabilitation programs, mental health resources, and housing assistance.

This project taught me the importance of collaboration and using people as a resource. Because we were able to combine our skillsets, we could create a high-quality final product, which I do not think I would have been able to achieve alone. I learned a lot from this team project, including troubleshooting Premiere Pro and maintaining our sense of humor in stressful situations.

-Class of 2023 Student Dhruv G.

As a personal project this term, CM2 students Niko W. and Dhruv G. challenged themselves to develop a short documentary capturing the essence of how modules work at TGS, using the Mo-Botics module as an example. They set out to answer the following driving question: “How can we use documentary filmmaking to capture the essence of PBL at TGS?”

The pair investigated different aspects of documentary filmmaking and combined their prior experience and skillsets to storyboard, plan, and execute the film. They also used a combination of student interviews and shots from module excursions as the film’s backbone.

By dividing roles and putting in a substantial amount of post-production editing, they achieved a high-quality final product which they presented at the THINK Beyond showcase.

Getting into the field of robotics with little hardware knowledge was both challenging and exciting. I learned that I can find ways to implement existing knowledge into a new field and that there’s always room to lead my own learning experience if I work hard enough. My biggest takeaway is always approaching any new project with a positive, open, and flexible mindset.

-Class of 2023 Student Bido H.

Driving Question: How can I design and build a robot – inspired by Expo 2020 and the Mobility Pavilion – that performs an action to increase our quality of life?

Our project is an autonomous conservational technology system that aims to provide efficiency in agriculture. NutriBot goes around agricultural fields and senses its surrounding environment to measure moisture levels and the type of nutrients in the soil. It then uses this data to evaluate the minimum quantities of water and nutrients necessary to keep the soil healthy and sprays them in the targeted blocks. Implementing this system will make farmers no longer have to apply water or fertilizers across entire fields. NutriBot can conserve up to 40% of water already wasted in agriculture alongside nutrients due to human error and inefficiency.

I gained a newfound appreciation for all of the work that goes into architecture. This module made me excited for the future since I got to learn about many new and upcoming sustainable technologies.

-Class of 2023 Student Saffron B.

My project, “Central Palm,” is located on the golden shores of Kite Beach. The central courtyard is the house’s spine, allowing year-round use due to the shade of the ghaf tree while still maintaining privacy from the outside world. The state-of-the-art Tesla solar roof reduces the owners’ reliance on the grid, even allowing you to sell excess solar energy back to the grid. Water-collecting tech that utilizes local sea breezes alongside sound-absorbing glass, inspired by the Czech Republic Expo pavilion, combines sustainability and modernity, thereby maintaining harmony with the local environment. The house features traditional Islamic design, such as columns, a majlis space for entertaining guests, and a prayer room. This house isn’t the future; this house is now.