Vienna International School (VIS) is proud to announce the outstanding achievements of our MYP German students in the prestigious BPB (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung) competition. Out of 1,400 projects submitted from several countries, two VIS classes have been awarded a 100-euro prize by the competition’s 47-member jury for their exceptional work.
1. Grade 8 students excelled with their project on the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. Their booklet included self-created articles, detailed maps, and insightful commentary on life in communist East Germany. A key component of their project was an online interview with a contemporary witness from the former German Democratic Republic (GDR), offering a personal and firsthand account of the historical event. The students also analyzed the German cartoon "Fritzi," which provided a lens through which they could explore the socio-political climate of the time.
2. Grade 10 students focused on Austria’s National Day, October 26, 1955, in their award-winning project. Their booklet featured a summary of various newspaper articles related to the significance of the day, as well as a visit to the Austrian parliament to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s political history. A particularly creative element of their project was a self-created homepage about Austrian authors, which they linked to their visit to the famous Café Hawelka in Vienna, where they enjoyed a traditional breakfast while discussing literary history. The students also conducted an interview with Beáta Gerendás, a prominent Austrian author, who read from her book Der österreichische Traum und andere Wiener Geschichten at VIS.
Participating in the BPB competition was a unique opportunity for VIS students to apply their German language skills in a real-world context while gaining a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and politics of German-speaking countries. The projects required students to work collaboratively, strengthening their teamwork and communication skills while expanding their cultural awareness. Through interviews, visits, and in-depth research, the students were able to connect with history on a personal level, making their learning experience both meaningful and impactful.
Congratulations to all the students involved for their creativity, perseverance, and excellence in this prestigious competition!