TOK EXHIBITION Object1 : A Copy of the Rosetta Stone
- Theme: Knowledge and Language
- Rationale: The Rosetta Stone, an ancient artifact inscribed with the same decree in three scripts (hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek), serves as a powerful symbol of the relationship between knowledge and culture. It played a crucial role in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, thereby unlocking the knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilization. This object exemplifies how language acts as a bridge between knowledge and culture, enabling the transmission of cultural heritage across generations and facilitating cross-cultural understanding by providing insights into the values, beliefs, and practices of ancient societies.
Immerse yourself in an interactive learning experience where TOK, ATTL, and the IB Learner Profile come to life! Subscribe today for complete access to our innovative resources and become part of a community of educators committed to fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
TOK EXHIBITION Object 2: UNESCO World Heritage Site Listing Document
- Theme: Knowledge and Indigenous Societies
- Rationale: The document listing a site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, such as Machu Picchu or the Great Barrier Reef, highlights the global recognition of cultural and natural heritage as invaluable sources of knowledge. These listings underscore the intrinsic connection between culture and knowledge, recognizing how places of outstanding universal value contribute to our collective understanding of humanity and the natural world. This object invites reflection on how cultural preservation efforts safeguard knowledge for future generations, emphasizing the role of international cooperation in maintaining the diversity of human and natural knowledge.
TOK EXHIBITION Object 3: An Open Source Software License Agreement
- Theme: Knowledge and Technology
- Rationale: Open source software, governed by licenses that allow users to freely use, modify, and share the software, illustrates the relationship between knowledge sharing practices and the culture of collaboration and innovation in the technology community. This object showcases how cultural values within the tech community, such as transparency, collaboration, and accessibility, shape the dissemination and development of technological knowledge. It prompts discussion on the impact of cultural norms on the creation and sharing of knowledge, highlighting the ways in which technology communities challenge traditional notions of intellectual property to foster collective advancement.
TOK EXHIBITION Object 4: A Traditional Medicine Handbook from an Indigenous Community
- Theme: Knowledge and Indigenous Societies
- Rationale: A handbook documenting traditional medicinal practices of an indigenous community embodies the deep connection between cultural practices and empirical knowledge. This compilation of herbal remedies, healing techniques, and spiritual practices provides insight into how indigenous cultures integrate empirical observations of the natural world with spiritual beliefs to create holistic systems of knowledge and healing. It underscores the importance of cultural context in shaping the methodologies, validation, and application of knowledge, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities presented by the integration of indigenous knowledge systems with global health practices.
TOK EXHIBITION Object 5: A Museum Exhibit on the Silk Road
- Theme: Knowledge and the Knower
- Rationale: An exhibit detailing the history and impact of the Silk Road as a network of trade routes connecting East and West illustrates the dynamic exchange of knowledge, goods, and culture. It highlights how cultural interactions facilitated by trade contributed to the spread of technologies, religious beliefs, languages, and artistic traditions across continents. This object explores the relationship between mobility, cultural exchange, and knowledge dissemination, demonstrating how cultures influence and are influenced by the flow of knowledge through history.
