Humans, Habitats, and Shared Responsibility – (3N – 4D) – IB110
An outdoor classroom for curious minds

Global Context: Globalization & Sustainability

Central Idea

Human communities interact with natural environments and cultural systems in ways that shape sustainability, conservation, and shared responsibility in an interconnected world.

Lines of Inquiry

• How human interaction with natural environments impacts ecosystems and biodiversity
• How traditional knowledge and community practices contribute to sustainable living
• How individual and collective responsibility supports conservation and ethical engagement with nature

Age Group

MYP (Grades 6–10):
Learning experiences are designed with increasing conceptual depth and complexity, enabling students to explore sustainability, conservation, and human–environment relationships through inquiry-based discussions, hands-on exploration, reflection, collaboration, and real-world observation. Tasks are differentiated to support varied learner needs while promoting environmental awareness, ethical thinking, and global citizenship.

Venue

Wayanad – Kerala
(Western Ghats | Biodiversity Hotspot | Cultural and Ecological Learning Landscape)

Learning Style

Inquiry-led • Experiential • Concept-driven • Reflective • Interdisciplinary • Ethics-integrated

Learner Profile Focus

Inquirer • Thinker • Knowledgeable • Open-Minded • Caring • Communicator • Reflective • Balanced

Includes

Pre-Tour • On-Tour • Post-Tour Learning Engagements

Programme Overview

“Humans, Habitats, and Shared Responsibility” is an inquiry-driven experiential learning programme designed for MYP students, using the ecological and cultural landscape of Wayanad as a living classroom to explore sustainability, biodiversity, and human responsibility in a globalized world.

Through structured pre-tour inquiry framing, immersive on-site experiences within forests, caves, wildlife habitats, and community spaces, and guided post-tour reflection and action, students investigate how human choices influence natural systems, cultural continuity, and environmental conservation.

Key learning experiences include exploration of the prehistoric Edakkal Caves, wildlife observation in protected forest ecosystems, trekking through waterfalls and forest trails, engagement with indigenous communities, hands-on bamboo innovation workshops, and reflective campfire discussions focused on responsibility and coexistence.

The programme supports learners in understanding that sustainability is shaped by human values, traditional knowledge, and ethical decision-making. By observing ecosystems, engaging with local communities, collaborating in experiential tasks, and reflecting on environmental impact, students develop systems thinking, empathy, environmental literacy, and a strong sense of global responsibility.

The programme is designed and facilitated to align closely with IB MYP philosophy, with learning intentionally structured across Pre-Tour, On-Tour, and Post-Tour phases. This ensures students connect inquiry with lived experience and translate reflection into meaningful awareness and action.

ATL Skills

Students develop Thinking, Research, Communication, Social, and Self-Management skills as they analyse ecosystems, ask inquiry-driven questions, document observations, collaborate during environmental and cultural activities, manage responsibilities during travel, reflect on human impact, and connect local experiences to global sustainability challenges.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Understand the relationship between human activity and natural ecosystems
• Explore sustainability through biodiversity, conservation, and community practices
• Develop inquiry, observation, collaboration, and reflection skills
• Practise ethical decision-making in environmental and cultural contexts
• Build respect for indigenous knowledge and sustainable livelihoods
• Recognise individual and collective responsibility toward environmental conservation

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Identify key features of biodiversity and conservation practices in the Western Ghats
• Explain how human choices impact ecosystems and cultural sustainability
• Demonstrate responsibility and collaboration during experiential learning
• Make informed and ethical choices while engaging with natural and community spaces
• Connect sustainability, culture, and responsibility through reflection

Applying environmental awareness and ethical thinking in school and community contexts