Episode description:
Have you been wondering why Taylor Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris? Why did Beyonce speak at a Harris rally? Why has Elon Musk raised millions upon millions for ex-President Donald Trump? Why did Joe Rogan endorse Trump on the eve of the US election? In this episode of Ears of East we do a deep dive into celebrity endorsements, in the US, but also in other countries around the world. As more people rely on social media to get their news and the lines of celebrity and politics get increasingly blurred this is an important issue for all of us to think about.

Show Notes:
Everyone wants Taylor Swift’s vote. But celebrity endorsements are complicated.
Taylor backs Kamala: a history of celebrity endorsements
Chappell Roan isn’t endorsing Kamala Harris. She’s taking a stand for critical thinking instead
Do celebrity endorsements matter? A look at the role of pop stars in modern politics

Description:
In this episode of Ears of East, we discuss the widely known US Standardised Test, the SAT, and explore if “it is an accurate way of measuring a student’s capabilities?” We have invited UAC advisor, Patrick Desbarats, to share his insights on the origins of the SAT, his experiences with students taking the test, and his personal opinion on the question. We also hear from 11th grade students on their perspective as well as experiences with the SAT. Enjoy the episode!

Show Notes:
Should the SAT’s Still Matter After All These Years?
What Does A SAT Score Mean Anymore?
The SATs are: a) dying; b) already dead; c) alive and well; d) here forever

Episode Description:
In this episode of Ears of East politics podcast club, we explore the societal issues encountered when multiple conflicts arise, as in this day and age the use of social media plays a major role in how our information is received. As part of our discussion, we look at the disparity in attention of certain conflicts and try to raise awareness of ongoing wars that have gone unnoticed. We hope you enjoy this thought provoking episode.

Shownotes:
Conflicts – who gets media attention and why?
War on Social Media: How The Online Impacts The Way We Perceive Conflict
Five things to know about the crisis in Sudan

Please note:
At 9 minutes and 32 seconds one of the students says that the US has funded $98 billion to Gaza. This is an error. The student meant to say the US has funded $98 billion to Israel. Apologies for this slip of the tongue.

Description:
In this episode of Ears of East we explore the IB Diploma Programme and take a closer look at the question “What subjects aren’t currently mandatory that should be? And what subjects are we taking that we don’t really need to be?” As part of the discussion we interview a TOK teacher at UWCSEA East, Ms Priya Banerjee. She provided us with her views and opinions on the importance of TOK as a subject in the IB. We also hear from current IB students on their perspectives of their IB subjects. Hope you will enjoy this episode!

Show Notes
IB TOK: Why it is the most important subject for your career
DP curriculum
Should art and music lessons be compulsory in school
Sport should be compulsory in schools

Description:
In this episode of Ears of East we explore the various factors that contribute to declining mental health among teenagers in our community. As part of our discussion, we talk with Ms. Marie-Anne Glavan, one of our school counselors, and Mr. Lucas Wayne a psychology teacher to gain a better insight into the root cause of the issue. We hope you enjoy this important episode.

Shownotes:
Teen depression
A decade of influence in the Singapore youth mental health landscape: the Community Health Assessment Team
Mental health of adolescents

Description:
In this episode of Ears of East we explore the IB Diploma Programme and pose the question as to whether or not the IB is too influenced by Western culture and ways of thinking. As part of the discussion we talk with the IB diploma coordinator at UWCSEA East, Ms Gemma Dawson. She. offered us really insightful and experienced points of view about how the IB curriculum works and the context behind the curriculum. We also hear from current IB students on their perspectives of their IB subjects. Hope you will enjoy this episode!

Shownotes:
A comparative study of international mindedness in the IB Diploma Programme inAustralia, China and India
Do International Baccalaureate programs internationalise or globalise?
Advocating for Culturally Responsive Practices in the IB DiplomaProgramme
Legitimacy, power, and aesthetics, in the International Baccalaureate

Description:
Today, we interviewed Jeenaev (G11), who was invited as a Youth Delegate for the United Nations SDG summit in September. We speak to him about the coolest experience he had (meeting Natalie Portman), the differences between MUN and the UN, his own love for sustainable financing as a topic, and what he learned from the experience. Enjoy!

Shownotes:
SDG Action Weekend
5 takeaways from INFF events at the SDG Action Weekend
UN Sustainable Development Goals in spotlight at General Assembly
As leaders convene, the UN pushes toward its crucial global goals. But progress is lagging
The SDG Stimulus – a High Impact Initiative to deliver financing at scale to rescue the SDGs

Episode description:
In this episode by Ears of East, we are joined by Alex Feinson, one of the UACs here at UWCSEA East, to discuss what exactly defines a ‘good’ college, and the pressure on high schoolers to go to these ‘good’ colleges. Listen to better understand the emphasis on college rankings, the role of parents in the college application process, and the factors that we should be considering when we find a college that’s a good fit for us.

Shownotes:
A ‘fit’ over rankings – why college engagement matters more than selectivity

Description:
In this episode of Ears of East, we discuss the upcoming and growing world of artificial intelligence in education. We speak with Mr Damian Bacchoo, the high school principal about the policies and guidelines our school has for AI as well as future plans that IB and our school have to work together with AI in order to benefit education. Mr Bacchoo provides valuable insight into the decisions made by teachers and educators on how to keep the use of AI moral and beneficial.

Show Notes:
AI and Academic Integrity at UWCSEA
European New School of Digital Technologies AI in Exam Policy
Why I’m Not Worried About My Students Using ChatGPT
Regulating ChatGPT and other Large Generative AI Models

Description:
Even in a world where many schools have (often predictable) missions, values and educational goals, UWC seems to take theirs unusually seriously. For one, few schools claim to be a “movement.” UWC commissioned a 300-page report from the Harvard Education Graduate school to evaluate its education, experience, mission and impact. We dig into UWC’s mission and interview Mr Alchin, head of UWCSEA, to discuss how the UWC’s claims, assertions and ambition interact with UWCSEA’s own. An important episode for all stakeholders of the UWCSEA community.

Shownotes:
Harvard Impact Study