Grade 5E Learns Beyond the Classroom in Zambales

based on text by Viola Buck

Before stepping into the spotlight for their PYP Exhibition on April 3, Grade 5E students of GESM took part in a unique learning experience that brought their classroom lessons to life.

During a 3-day, 2-night field trip to Zambales, students explored key themes of their PYP Exhibition—such as environmental sustainability and social inequality—through real-world experiences. They studied the effects of ocean pollution on coastal communities and gained a deeper understanding of how poverty impacts children, all while actively engaging with the local community.

But it wasn’t all serious learning—students also took to the waves and learned how to surf, guided by local surfers who quickly became their trusted kuya (big brother) and ate (big sister).

The trip gave students a deeper, more personal connection to the topics they would later present at the Exhibition. It’s a strong reminder that when learning goes beyond the classroom, it often leaves the most lasting impact.