International Baccalaureate Program

Educating for Excellence

 

Rigor + Relevance + Relationships = Educational Excellence

DP in the Classroom

East High School

Course Biology and Chemistry - Higher Level
Group 4 Project Experience

The Diploma Program requires that all Science students program perform research on an original topic. A research project is selected by the students, who then choose to approach the problem from the perspective of either a biologist, chemist, ecologist or physicist. Four students then work together collaboratively to solve a problem from the perspective of their own selected scientific discipline. This type of investigation gives students an appreciation as to how practicing scientists actually approach real world problems as a partnership using their own expertise.

In November 2006, second year higher level (HL2) Biology and Chemistry students presented the following projects to the staff and students at EHS:

Ø The Chemical Analysis of 3 Aquatic Environments

Ø What Factors Influence Performance During a 400M Race?

Ø Elements of Aviation

Ø Osteoporosis

Ø How Do the Biotic and Abiotic Factors Influence Each Other in a Pond Ecosystem? 

Ø Antibacterial Disinfectants

While conducting their research, students participated in a variety of activities, including: harvesting fish and other aquatic organisms, testing river & pond water quality, having their bone density scanned, running races, growing bacteria and simulating lift on airplane wings. Adult mentors for these projects included District teachers, physicians, Corning Inc. scientists and CCC professors. The students learned important lessons regarding the construction of testable hypotheses, development of appropriate experiments, the analysis and presentation of data, the construction of meaningful conclusions, and the benefits of cooperating with others to solve problems.