MYP Interdisciplinary Project: Faces and Voices of the Spanish-Speaking World

Exploring identity, culture, and solidarity through Art and Spanish

At the International School of Nice (ISN), Grade 6 students recently took part in an MYP interdisciplinary project combining Art and Spanish. The aim was to explore how identity can be represented through both images and words.

Rooted in the global context of personal and cultural expression, the project placed identity at the centre of learning. Students reflected on who we are, how we express ourselves, and how culture shapes our perspectives.

Exploring identity through art and language

In Art, students studied artists such as Pablo Picasso, María Berrío, Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dalí. Through collage, they combined images, symbols and colours to represent different “layers” of identity, including culture, emotions and personal history. Inspired by these artists, they created their own collage portraits using a variety of materials.

This creative process also encouraged students to reflect on challenges and perseverance. As one student, Rose Grade 6, shared: “I think the most memorable thing about this IDU is the process of creating this portrait. At one moment I really was struggling and thought it looked bad because of the lack of shading and facial color tones. But I trusted the process and overcame small challenges such as creating the hair using only strips of paper. After all, I am really happy with the results and still loved the full process.”

Another student, Sefton Grade 6, reflected on both the creative decisions and the challenges involved: “I enjoyed the IDU experience because I was really given the time to carefully develop my project. I am very proud of my collage of Salvador Dali, especially of how I used a light gray for the eye because it gives it a realistic feeling. Something I struggled with was using different shades of brown to give a 3D effect. Some nice details I put in my collage were changing the suit's color and replacing it with pieces of his artwork. A few other details I included are shown in the background. I used a picture of Margarita Salis whom I also explored during the IDU week and added an image of a heart to represent her.”

Another student, Aleksandra Grade6, also shared her experience: “The IDU week was very exciting and interesting. We did a lot of hard work, put many into our collages and Spanish speeches. It was very fun, I would love to have a chance to do it again.”

In Spanish, students developed the language needed to describe a person’s appearance, personality and values, while also exploring cultures from Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Argentina and Spain. They were introduced to well-known figures such as King Felipe VI of Spain, Frida Kahlo, Lionel Messi, Shakira, Celia Cruz and Rosalía, Penelope Cruz, among others.

By combining both subjects, students discovered that identity is complex and can be expressed in multiple ways. They also developed key skills such as communication, creativity and critical thinking, while managing a long-term project and reflecting on their learning.

As Eve Therrien, ISN Middle School Principal, explains: “Grade 6 students should be incredibly proud of the work they have accomplished during IDU week. Bridging the world of Visual Arts with the Spanish language is no small feat—it requires creativity, precision, and critical thinking. Through collage, students learned to layer meaning, just as they layer grammar and vocabulary to communicate, while also discovering important figures from the Spanish-speaking world.”

Alongside their artwork, students wrote a short description in Spanish about a chosen figure. This combination of visual and written work helped them express their ideas clearly and creatively.

A meaningful final exhibition

The project concluded with a bilingual exhibition where students presented their work to parents and the school community, explaining their artistic choices and sharing their Spanish descriptions. An art catalogue was also created.

This experience gave students a real sense of purpose and audience. By combining art and language, they developed a deeper understanding of identity and greater respect for different cultures and perspectives. It also fostered a growing sense of solidarity, as students learned to appreciate diverse voices, support one another throughout the creative process, and recognise the value of different cultural identities within a shared learning community.

As MYP Coordinator Marianne Stewart reflected, “The success of this special week was a testament to the collaborative power of students, MYP teachers and parents.” She also highlighted the importance of reflection as the school looks ahead to future IDU projects and continued improvement.

The project also aligns with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), by promoting inclusive learning, celebrating diverse voices, and reinforcing values of respect, collaboration and solidarity.

Click here to see the full IDU Art Book with all the work created by the students.

Interdisciplinary learning continues to inspire students to think creatively, communicate confidently and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.