AISV Inquiry Challenge 2026
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Real-World Learning: The 2026 Middle School Inquiry Challenge
The 2026 Inquiry Challenge recently concluded at the American International School of Vilnius, marking a successful period of focused, hands-on learning for Middle School students. This intensive two-week program transformed the traditional school day into a deep dive into Project-Based Learning (PBL), encouraging students in grades 6–8 to step beyond the classroom and into the role of real-world problem solvers.
The journey began with a spark of inspiration during a kickoff assembly and a trip to the Pasaka Film Boutique, where a documentary screening set the stage for two weeks of intensive research and collaboration.
Working in trios based on shared interests identified earlier in the school year, students tackled five critical themes:
Food in Our Community
Green Practices in Energy
Plastic in Our World
Sustainability in Manufacturing
Transportation and Green Design
This multi-age collaboration allowed students to build new friendships while developing the negotiation and teamwork skills essential for success in high school and beyond.
A defining feature of the challenge was the integration of experiential learning through local site visits. Students took their investigations across Vilnius, visiting organizations such as the Vilnius Food Bank, UAB Grigeo Group, and Green Tech Baltics. Immersive sessions at the Vilnius Tech Sustainability Engineering and Aviation campuses, along with tours of the city's heating networks and plastic deposit systems, provided students with the professional insights needed to ground their projects in reality. By seeing these systems in action, students were able to apply academic knowledge to authentic questions of community impact.
The 2026 Inquiry Challenge stands as a powerful example of how student-led investigation and community partnership can transform academic concepts into meaningful, real-world action.
Inquiry Challenge Showcase
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The program reached its peak with the Inquiry Challenge Showcase on January 29th. The Upper School was filled with parents and peers who witnessed the remarkable poise of the student presenters. Beyond delivering prepared findings, the students demonstrated a deep command of their subjects by thoughtfully responding to challenging questions from the audience.
The feedback from the community underscored the profound impact of the challenge, with families noting the genuine joy and enthusiasm students brought home each day. Many described dinner-table conversations that stretched late into the night, filled with stories about their learning journey and a growing sense of autonomy. As the 2026 Inquiry Challenge concludes, it leaves behind a legacy of curiosity and a strengthened commitment to inquiry-based learning at AISV, proving that our students are not just learners, but engaged members of a global community.
