--- title: GEMS Dubai American Academy | Partnership Case Study 1 | Lee Crockett description: GEMS Dubai American Academy students tackle global hunger through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects, fostering agency, collaboration, and meaningful learning experiences in their classrooms. --- [Skip to content](https://leecrockett.net/partnership-case-study/gems-dubai-aa-1#main-content) [![Lee Crockett Logo rev](https://leecrockett.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Lee%20Crockett%20Logo%20rev.png?width=1500&height=237&name=Lee%20Crockett%20Logo%20rev.png "Lee Crockett Logo rev")](https://leecrockett.net/) - [About](https://leecrockett.net/about) - [Speaking](https://leecrockett.net/speaking) - Programs - [Leadership Archetypes](https://leecrockett.net/leadership-archetypes) - [Excellence Program](https://leecrockett.net/culture-of-excellence-program) - [Professional Wellness Program](https://leecrockett.net/professional-wellness) - [Partnerships](https://leecrockett.net/partnerships) - [Books](https://leecrockett.net/books) - [The Sustainability Myth](https://leecrockett.net/books/sustainability-myth) - [Culture of Excellence](https://leecrockett.net/books/culture-of-excellence) - [Agents to Agency](https://leecrockett.net/books/agents-to-agency) - [Future-Focused Learning](https://leecrockett.net/books/future-focused-learning) - [Mindful Assessment](https://leecrockett.net/books/mindful-assessment) - [Growing Global Digital Citizens](https://leecrockett.net/books/growing-global-digital-citizens) - Resources - [Leadership Papers](https://leecrockett.net/leadership-papers) - [Articles](https://leecrockett.net/blog) - [Podcast](https://leecrockett.net/podcast) - [Videos](https://leecrockett.net/videos) - [Contact](https://leecrockett.net/contact) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Partnership Case Study # GEMS Dubai American Academy: Study 1 When a classroom of curious second graders at GEMS Dubai American Academy explored the world’s biggest problems, one issue rose above all others: hunger. What began as a simple conversation quickly became a powerful inquiry into how young learners could contribute to real-world change. Inspired by a school visit and guided by the Culture of Excellence approach, these students transformed their concern into a hands-on, interdisciplinary project that empowered them to become genuine plant experts. ![GEMS DAA logo](https://leecrockett.net/hubfs/GEMS%20DAA%20logo.png "GEMS DAA logo") Our PARTNER GEMS Dubai American Academy SETTING IB High School Dubai, UAE ENGAGEMENT Multi-year partnership FOCUS AREAS Whole-staff implementation of the Culture of Excellence Program ### From Passive Learning to Student-Led Teaching: How Powerful Inquiry Can Inspire Real-World Change Case Summary After exploring global issues, students identified hunger as their shared concern and decided the most powerful solution was education—teaching communities how to grow crops suited to their climate. Working in teams (rainforest, ocean, desert, arctic), they researched conditions, conducted experiments, recreated environments, and produced creative multimedia lessons. The result was a highly student-led project that strengthened agency, collaboration, and deep understanding across science, literacy, and inquiry learning. The Culture of Excellence process helped strengthen what already makes our school great. 98% The frameworks provided clear, practical structures that support my everyday teaching. 100% Our team now shares a more consistent language and approach to improving learning. 98% Professional learning and conversations increased my connection to our collective vision. 100% Overall, this has been a positive and valuable experience for our school community. 100% (Percentages reflect staff who agreed or strongly agreed.) - ![GEMS 1-1](https://leecrockett.net/hs-fs/hubfs/GEMS%201-1.jpg?width=3264&height=2448&name=GEMS%201-1.jpg) - ![GEMS 1-2](https://leecrockett.net/hs-fs/hubfs/GEMS%201-2.jpg?width=2448&height=3264&name=GEMS%201-2.jpg) - ![GEMS 1-3](https://leecrockett.net/hs-fs/hubfs/GEMS%201-3.jpg?width=3264&height=2448&name=GEMS%201-3.jpg) - ![GEMS 1-4](https://leecrockett.net/hs-fs/hubfs/GEMS%201-4.jpg?width=3264&height=2448&name=GEMS%201-4.jpg) - ![GEMS 1-5](https://leecrockett.net/hs-fs/hubfs/GEMS%201-5.jpg?width=3264&height=2448&name=GEMS%201-5.jpg) - ![GEMS 1-6](https://leecrockett.net/hs-fs/hubfs/GEMS%201-6.jpg?width=3264&height=2448&name=GEMS%201-6.jpg) ### In Their Words - “My students showed a level of ownership I’ve never seen before—every step of the process mattered to them.” - “The clarity of the frameworks made it easy to shift from directing learning to facilitating it.” - “What surprised me most was the depth of thinking our students displayed once they had real purpose.” - “The Culture of Excellence work helped us create learning that felt meaningful, connected, and genuinely exciting.” ###### John Doe Combo Interactive - “Students stayed engaged because the learning belonged to them. That shift alone changed the whole energy of our classrooms.” ###### John Doe Combo Interactive #### “What stands out across every project is how deeply our students engage when learning is authentic and purposeful. The Culture of Excellence work has strengthened our shared language, lifted teacher confidence, and given our students a sense of agency that will shape their future. It has been transformative for our school community.” Tammy Murphy, Principal, GEMS Dubai American Academy ### **Ready to explore what this could look like in your context?** [Start a Conversation](https://leecrockett.net/contact) [View More Partnership Case Studies](https://leecrockett.net/partnerships) --- [![Lee Crockett Logo rev](https://leecrockett.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Lee%20Crockett%20Logo%20rev.png?width=1500&height=237&name=Lee%20Crockett%20Logo%20rev.png "Lee Crockett Logo rev")](https://leecrockett.net/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-crockett/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/@LeeCrockett) ##### Top Resources [The Sustainability Myth Leadership Paper](https://leecrockett.net/the-sustainability-myth) [Leadership Pressure Triangle Leadership Paper](https://leecrockett.net/leadership-pressure-triangle) [6 Aspects of Excellence Guide](https://leecrockett.net/6-aspects-of-excellence) [Culture of Excellence Snapshot](https://score.leecrockett.net/snapshot) [Destinations, Milestones, Footsteps Guide](https://leecrockett.net/destinations-milestones-footsteps-guide) ##### Programs [Leadership Archetypes Program](https://leecrockett.net/leadership-archetypes) [Culture of Excellence Program](https://leecrockett.net/culture-of-excellence-program) [Professional Wellness Program](https://cultureofexcellence.net/professional-wellness) ##### Company Links [Contact Us](https://cultureofexcellence.net/contact)[Lee Crockett Media Kit](https://leecrockett.net/media-kit) [Terms](https://get.leecrockett.net/terms-of-service)  / [Privacy](https://get.leecrockett.net/privacy-policy) [特定商取引法に基づく表記 (Commercial Disclosure)](https://leecrockett.net/commercial-disclosure) © 2024 Lee Crockett - [leecrockett.net](https://leecrockett.net)