Teaching and learning in the MYP stem from a set of key concepts that after being discovered, they are approached, analyzed and researched within the context of various subject matters on the basis of a wide range of practices. This ensures curriculum breadth and thoroughness and also that learning is fostered both in and beyond lessons. All MYP learners explore the following key concepts:

Aesthetics Change Communication Communities
Connections Creativity Culture Development
Form Global interactions Identity Logic
Perspective Relationships Time, place and space Systems
  • Aesthetics deals with the characteristics, creation, meaning and perception of beauty and taste. The study of aesthetics develops skills for the critical appreciation and analysis of art, culture and nature.
  • Change is a conversion, transformation or movement from one form, state or value to another. Inquiry into the concept of change includes understanding and evaluating causes, processes and consequences.
  • Communication is the exchange or transfer of signals, facts, ideas and symbols. It requires a sender, a message and an intended receiver. Communication involves the activity of conveying information or meaning. Effective communication requires a common “language” (spoken, written or non-verbal).
  • Communities are groups that exist in proximity defined by space, time or relationship. Communities include, for example, groups of people sharing particular characteristics, beliefs or values as well as groups of independent organisms living together in a specific habitat.
  • Connections are links, bonds and relationships among people, objects, organisms or ideas.
  • Creativity is the process of generating novel ideas and considering existing ideas from new perspectives. Creativity includes the ability to recognize the value of ideas when developing innovative responses to problems; it may be evident in process as well as outcomes, products or solutions.
  • Culture encompasses a range of learnt and shared beliefs, values, interests, attitudes, products, ways of knowing and patterns of behaviours created by human communities. The concept of culture is dynamic and organic.
  • Development is the act or process of growth, progress or evolution, sometimes through iterative improvements.
  • Form is the shape and underlying structure of an entity or piece of work, including its organization, essential nature and external appearance.
  • Global interactions, as a concept, focuses on the connections among individuals and communities, as well as their relationships with built and natural environments, from the perspective of the world as a whole.
  • Identity is the state or fact of being the same. It refers to the particular features that define individuals, groups, things, eras, places, symbols and styles. Identity can be observed or constructed, asserted and shaped by external and internal influences.
  • Logic is a method of reasoning and a system of principles used to build arguments and reach conclusions.
  • Perspective is the position from which we observe situations, objects, facts, ideas and opinions. Perspective may be associated with individuals, groups, cultures or disciplines. Different perspectives often lead to multiple representations and interpretations.
  • Relationships are the connections and associations between properties, objects, people and ideas – including the human community’s connections with our world. Any change in relationship brings consequences some of which may be minor while others may be far-reaching, affecting large networks and systems such as human societies and the planetary ecosystem.
  • The intrinsically linked concept of time, space and place refers to the absolute or relative position of people, objects and ideas. Time, place and space focuses on how we construct and use our understanding of location (“when” and “where”).
  • Systems are sets of interactive or interdependent components. Systems provide structure and order in human, natural and built environments. Systems can be static or dynamic, simple or complex.