Cover Story
in exploring the cultural riches, beauty and depth
of their native country.
modern fusion of this piece by merging western
influences and eastern musical elements, struc-
tures and composing techniques. With Chinese
For her TOK final essay, Marley An ’18 examined traditional music gradually being replaced by more
the claim that the quality of knowledge produced modern versions, the duo became interested in
by an academic discipline is directly proportional reviving this important piece of music. The result
to the duration of the historical development of is a piece of musical magic with the composers
that discipline. “It sounds difficult but if you look demonstrating engagement with issues of global
at it closely it is not as difficult as it sounds,” she significance.
offered. For her statement analysis, Marley used
the disciplines of biology and astrology. She found
After 18 months of preparation for theory of
that in biology, as time goes on, knowledge pro- knowledge projects, countless hours poring over
gresses. As more scientists study biology, later extended essays and creative service projects
theories may disprove earlier ones and thus time throughout China, our seniors are true exam-
and quality of knowledge are related. “Astrology, ples of what it means to be a Keystone student.
by contrast, is this magical thing where they tell Intellectually curious, service oriented, creative
you your future in the form of horoscopes, for and analytical thinkers, the first cohort of grad-
example. My research shows there is no proof that uates is ready to flourish and succeed in the next
it is correct and the quality of knowledge does not stages of their lives. “This coming together of the
improve, thus providing a counterclaim of the TOK Chinese Thread in the acknowledgment of the sys-
essay statement,” she concluded. tems within the IB Diploma Programme has been
a really interesting journey for us. I hope that on
Reflecting on the skills strengthened by or their onward journey, our students continue to ask
acquired through the TOK course, which at questions, seek knowledge, think critically, and
Keystone uniquely encourages critical thinking always look for the truth,” concluded Ms. Burslem.
about knowledge itself in a bilingual setting, TOK
Coordinator Amina Burslem shared that, “The
students improved their thinking skills in a num-
Forging Bonds in and with the World
ber of important ways; primarily, they developed
the ability to look at real life situations and asked
When our graduates, in their Grade 10 year, ven-
relevant questions to critically evaluate knowledge tured into rough terrain and camped near Mount
claims and explore their veracity and the implica- Xiaowutai under challenging environmental cir-
tions of those claims. They have grown confident cumstances, they forged bonds and brought home
in holding conversations with people from differ- lessons and memories that will stay with them
ent backgrounds, cultures and belief systems on for life. “As we faced fierce forces of nature, we
issues in English and Chinese, and can rationally felt the maturing of our bonds with each other
analyze and justify their viewpoints. They have and a strengthening of our team spirit, some-
gained the strength of character to either justify or thing we take for granted in routine campus life,”
change their views in light of new learning.” recounted Evelyn Huang ‘18.
In their CAS project “Rearrangement of an Ancient To Evelyn and her peers, these camping trips have
Chinese Music Piece”, musicians Vincy Nie ’18 and been adventures of many firsts. “In Xiaowutai, we
Karen Ma ’18 transformed the ancient Chinese reached our finishing line with a deeper under-
music Lofty Mountains Flowing River into a standing of ourselves, and greater maturity in our
The Keystone Magazine 13