IB Group 4 Project

Introduction
The group 4 project is an interdisciplinary activity in which all IBDP students must participate. The objective is that students from the different group 4 subjects (experimental sciences) work together to analyze a common scientific topic or problem.

The group 4 project allows students to appreciate the environmental, social and ethical implications of science and technology. It also allows them to understand the limitations of scientific study. The emphasis is on interdisciplinary cooperation and the processes involved in scientific investigation, rather than the products of such investigation.

Students are given a theme and put into groups comprising students taking Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Groups’ activities must be related to a focused topic within the Project theme. Groups are given 10 hours for the three stages of the Group 4 Project: planning, action and evaluation.

The planning stage is for groups to conduct meetings to ‘brainstorm’ and discuss the Project theme and its underlying topics, and share ideas and information. After selecting a focused topic, the activities to be carried out must be clearly defined before moving to the other stages. This stage is crucial to the whole project as it would determine how successful the project will be and it should last about 2 hours.

The action stage is where the research or experiments about the focused topic is carried out. This stage lasts about 6 hours or more, depending on the requirements of the various investigations planned. During this stage, it is important that attention is paid to safety, ethical and environmental considerations.

The emphasis during the evaluation stage is on students sharing their findings, with their peers. How this is conducted is decided by the teachers and the students jointly.

In short, the group 4 project is a good platform for students from different group 4 subjects to think outside of the box, to explore and to learn beyond what their textbooks can offer.

The theme of the Group 4 Project this year at TCSH was ‘Pollution’. Let’s see how students from the July 2012 intake tackled the task.

Written by Hoh Jing Yi

The Project
The Group 4 Project was conducted on 16 and 17 April 2013, following weeks of intense preparation. First-year IBDP students were divided into 6 groups. Each group had to make full use of their ingenuity to try and find solutions or investigate problems around the main theme of the Group 4 Project, ‘Pollution’. An aspect that sets the Group 4 Project apart from the usual pre-university science projects is its free-choice concept. The students from the 6 groups are allowed to make any investigations and request for any materials (as long as it is viable, of course!) related to the main theme.

Students observing the effects of diffferent solutions on the pH values of Elodea plants

Students testing and making amendments to their magnetic levitation circuit

On the first day of the Group 4 project, the 6 groups had to execute all hands-on activities pertaining to their experimental designs and procedures. Some groups did experiments like Magnetic Levitation for domestic usage or delved into Sulphide Mining predicaments and attempted to neutralize the acidic water (due to sulphur). Some groups were investigating other methods to reduce the time taken for afforestation by studying the effects of music on plants, while the others had thought up some extremely brilliant and forward looking designs to solve the issue of air pollution and investigate how the acidity of the water affects plant growth.

A cute warning sign to fend off the itchy hands of the IB students

After weeks of research, planning and development, the 6 groups presented their findings on the second day, in front of an audience that included students, lecturers and members of the college leadership. It was a fairly transient event spanning over roughly 1.5 hours. The event showcased interesting findings and some practical solutions to deal with the issues of Pollution.
The audience played a big role too in the success of the Group 4 project with their encouragement, interesting and thought provoking questions, which at times baffled the presenters and caught them off guard. Nevertheless, it was a fun experience for both the IB teachers and the students alike.

Written by Mohamed Adam bin Mohamed Azlan

Feedback from the Students

"The entire process in the Group 4 Project was tedious but it allowed plenty of room for improvements and improvisations."
-Ahmad Fakhrullah B.Mohd Fazin



 


"The Group 4 Project really challenged each and every one of us to think outside the box and produce something of quality within a short span of time."
-Natasha Sheree Jetly





"The Group 4 Project gave me the freedom to investigate issues of our interest that relate to the theme of the project by allowing us to delve deeper into subjects we are passionate about. Who knows, this might be a stepping stone to greater ideas in the future!"
-Phoebe Tan Siew Lin
"I liked how we were actually allowed to use our imagination in this project! Instead of learning theories and regurgitating them in exam papers, I think the Group 4 Project allowed us to apply theories to real life."
-Hannah Khaw Huey Mei

"The Group 4 Project is a good opportunity for students to carry out independent research, collaborate with different people and explore different ideas."
 -Wong Foong Yee







Written by Quek Siew Yean

The Group 4 Teachers
Now, we turn to the teachers for their input on the wonderful Group 4 Project!

All our lecturers remarked that it was a job very well done over the two days and lauded our presentations done at the end of the Project. The nature of the Group 4 Project itself brings students from the different realms of science, namely Physics, Chemistry and Biology together to tackle a general scientific theme that was given. Ms. Prema, our Biology lecturer, said that the Group 4 Project enables students to identify a wide range of problems. Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Josh, our Chemistry lecturer, mentioned that the basis of this open-ended project is to encourage students to explore the vast boundaries of Science and come up with an array of innovative and practical ideas. In short, the Group 4 Project is holistic.

Describing the students’ performance, Mr Josh was delighted with the wide range of interesting projects tackled as well as the magnificent teamwork shown among the IB students. Ms. Prema also praised the IB students for the immense effort put into impressive research initiative and being resourceful in the gathering of materials before the execution of their projects.

When asked about what lessons students may have learnt from the two-day scientific journey, Ms. Prema remarked that the problem-solving skills gained from the study of Science can be applied in various fields that students are interested to venture into as Science is a wholesome subject. Mr. Josh highlighted that the integration of ideas, the ability to work in a group and the leadership and entrepreneurship skills gained will bode well for our future.

Written by Hafizudden Khalis bin Mohamed Nizam

Special Thanks to the IBDP Newsletter Team