15 Years of The Curator Challenge - Celebrating a Legacy of Research, Creativity, and Storytelling

Earlier this month, our Grade 8 students marked a major milestone, the 15th anniversary of the Curator Challenge, with an inspiring evening of presentations at the historic Lobkowicz Palace. This signature event, rooted in months of deep research, collaboration, and creative thinking, invites students to step into the role of curators, presenting their unique perspectives on objects of historical significance

 

 

The heart of the Curator Challenge lies in looking closely at an object and asking: What story does it tell? Students explore how their object impacted the people and societies who used it, often making new discoveries and contributing to the ongoing research efforts at the Lobkowicz Palace. It is a truly authentic learning experience, one that leaves lasting memories and helps ground our international students in the rich history of Bohemia and the Czech Republic.

 

"The Curator Challenge invites students to explore the stories behind objects and their impact on society. By diving deeper into their research, they’ve made valuable contributions and discoveries. It’s a pleasure for our family to share this opportunity."

Alexandra Lobkowicz, President of the Lobkowicz Collections
 

This year, the standard of work was exceptional. Our panel of judges faced a particularly difficult task, ultimately awarding two teams a shared third place and extending an honourable mention to a fourth team. The top-placed teams will have the extraordinary opportunity to display their work at the Lobkowicz Palace Museum, an incredible honour that reflects the thoughtfulness and depth of their scholarship.

 

Throughout the project, students experienced the full journey of collaborative learning - from the early stages of careful research, to the creative process of crafting presentations that are both academically rigorous and visually engaging. Despite the inevitable tensions and nerves in the final days, all of our students rose to the occasion with confidence, maturity, and pride. The evening itself was a powerful reminder of what authentic education looks like. 

“Every participant should be deeply proud of what they achieved, not only on stage but throughout the entire journey of the project.”

Matthew Hayes, MS Teacher and Organiser of The Curator Challenge

Looking ahead, our MS Teacher Mr. Hayes, who has orchestrated this annual project since its inception in 2010, will be sharing the story of the Curator Challenge at a TEDx event this October, highlighting its evolution and lasting impact on students over the past decade and a half.

To help capture the full spirit of the Curator Challenge, we would love to hear from alumni who have participated in the project over its history.

If you would like to share your memories or reflections, whether you wish to focus on what you learned, how it shaped your thinking, or even a memorable moment, please reach out to Mr. Hayes at mhayes@isp.cz. Your insights could even be included as part of the upcoming TEDx talk!

We are deeply grateful to the Lobkowicz family for their generosity in sharing their remarkable collection and for making this unique educational experience possible for our students.
We would also like to thank all the students, teachers, judges, and families who have helped make Curator Challenge such a meaningful part of the ISP experience for 15 incredible years.

 

Here's to the next chapter!

As part of the 15-year celebration, we invite you to explore the Curator Challenge’s legacy through a series of short documentaries created over the years:

• 2016 – The first Upper School CAS student documentary.
• 2018 – Two documentaries: a short version for social media and a longer six-minute film.
• 2024 – Detailed documentary, capturing the ongoing spirit of the project.