SPIRIT. MIND. BODY. CORDECHO 11 SHAKING THINGS UP: A Fresh Chapter in SHA’s Legacy of Learning The IB Middle Years Program (MYP) is a globally recognized framework for students aged 11–16 that emphasizes critical thinking, global engagement, and real-world connections. Interdisciplinary learning, in which subjects come together to explore big ideas, is an integral part of the MYP. At Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, we put our own spin on this by creating SHAKe Ups: two exciting days of hands-on, community-based learning. During SHAKe Ups, all freshwomen and sophomores explore meaningful questions through group projects that blend subjects like science, art, and humanities, making learning dynamic, relevant, and deeply connected to the world around them. Following a consultation visit in April with an IB representative, we began refining Sacred Heart’s implementation of the MYP. In June, faculty and staff devoted professional development days to revising unit plans and deepening their understanding of the MYP framework. We formally submitted the application for authorization in July and look forward to our official verification visit this fall as the next step toward becoming an authorized IB MYP school. MYP implementation, including SHAKe Ups, has been met with great enthusiasm by faculty and students alike. The whole SHA community looks forward to the next round of SHAKe Ups in October, including the introduction of a new SHAKe Up on Sports Management, specifically requested by the students. This is an example of how MYP is designed to continuously improve and adjust to meet the interests and needs of all learners. Clare O’Brien ’27 gets her hands in the mix during “Bake, Break, & Take,” a flavorful fusion of chemistry, history, and religion led by Lisa Utz, Rosa Newman, and Jane Coughlin. Students kneaded, shaped, and tasted their way through the science of bread-making while learning the cultural and religious significance of bread around the globe. Frances Horrigan ’27 and Samantha Colley ’27 surface at the Stella Niagara pool with a “fish” during “Swimming with the SHArks,” a SHAKe Up led by Grace ModicaAmore, Mary Achramovitch, Camryn Sullivan, and Mairead Farrell ’17 that blended biology and physical education. After exploring marine science at the aquarium and mastering snorkel skills, students put their knowledge into practice through creative, hands-on challenges that brought fish identification to life - experiencing scientific observation just like real marine biologists. The “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” SHAKe Up, led by Jill Anderson and Angela Harris, researched Buffalo’s rich history and cultural landmarks. The girls then choreographed, designed, and performed a dance that truly brings Buffalo’s story to life through movement. Dancing to the inspiring chorus of “Make this place your home” from Phillip Phillips’ song “Home,” they discovered how art can bridge communities and celebrate both the unique history and bright future of our beloved city.
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