TOK Exhibition

For Meridian’s seniors, the long-anticipated Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Exhibition has finally arrived. Having looked forward to this moment for a year, the project has sparked a mix of excitement and anxiety, with some students eager to showcase their ideas and others apprehensive about perfecting their essays.

The TOK Exhibition is a significant component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. However, it’s often an unknown challenge for students until they begin TOK, leaving some feeling unprepared. Fortunately, Mr. Aaron Holman, Meridian’s dedicated TOK, Government, and Economics teacher, has been guiding his students every step of the way to help them succeed.

Mr. Holman explains, “The idea behind the Exhibition is to take a broad, complex knowledge question and answer it by selecting three objects that support your perspective. These objects need to be real-world items anchored in a specific time and place.”

For many students, the knowledge questions prompted them to reflect on their own cultures and identities.

Adithi Bashyam, a Meridian senior, shared her experience: “My question was about the relationship between personal experience and knowledge. I focused my exhibition on my culture and highlighted things that people from other cultures might not be aware of.”

Senior Bryson Hearn chose an object with personal significance. “One of my objects is the Suicide Squad film. It’s my favorite movie, with what I consider one of the best portrayals of the Joker I’ve ever seen,” he said.

The exhibition offered a creative outlet for some, while others saw it as a necessary step toward earning the IB Diploma. Regardless of their initial engagement level, students walked away with new insights.

Senior Charlie Edwards commented, “Mr. Holman does a great job of giving directions. The project can feel abstract, but he helps make it more tangible by showing examples.”

Reflecting on the process, senior Yahia Aswad noted, “I think I could have used more time to reread my essays and get reoriented with the project after taking a break.”

Senior Lason Willis added, “I could have done better with time management, especially on the typing.”

The TOK Exhibition allowed students to explore and express their personal identities in a unique way. Even those less focused on the creative aspect still found opportunities for self-discovery and growth.