At the Nord Anglia International School of New York (NAISNY), we believe in empowering students to think big, act boldly, and make their mark on the world. One of the most exciting ways we bring this vision to life is through our exclusive collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)—a partnership that sparks creativity, innovation, and real-world problem-solving across all age groups.
This October, we had the pleasure of welcoming two members of MIT’s Curiosity Correspondence Team, Katie Ward and Abby Haley, to our campus. Their visit was more than just student interviews—it was a celebration of student-led inquiry, imagination, and the power of asking great questions.
Katie and Abby were deeply impressed by the NAISNY students they met. From the moment they stepped into our classrooms, they were greeted with thoughtful, engaging, and curious questions that reflected the depth of our students’ learning. Whether it was a student asking, “Why does my dress change color when I’m on stage under different lights?”or sharing a project on toy inventions to improve socialization between dogs and their owners, the MIT team saw firsthand how our students connect classroom learning to real-world challenges.
“We were blown away by the creativity and curiosity of the students,” said Abby.
As part of Nord Anglia Education’s global family of 90 schools, NAISNY students participate in MIT-designed challenges that are adapted for primary and middle school learners. These projects range from engineering solutions for everyday problems and at NAISNY these projects also mean collaborating with global companies like Google and Duolingo.
In this video interview Katie and Abby shared how rewarding it is to see how each school brings these challenges to life in age-appropriate, innovative ways.
Back at MIT, a team of professors, scientists, and graduate students reviews submissions from Nord Anglia students around the world. Abby noted that they are consistently impressed by the volume and quality of ideas coming from our global campuses—and NAISNY is no exception.
“Our partnership with MIT isn’t just something we’re proud of—it’s an active, inspiring part of what we do every day in the classroom and beyond,” said Principal Jimmy Frawley. “It sparks curiosity, fuels big ideas, and helps our students see themselves as true changemakers. P.A., Abby and Katie’s visit was such an exciting reminder of how far our students can go when they’re inspired by the very best.” said Principal Jimmy Frawley.
