1. Another… Piece of the IB Puzzle!

2. What part of IB… Provides an opportunity for up to 3 points towards your diploma in combination with Theory of Knowledge?

3. What part of IB… Involves 8 of the 10 characteristics of the IB learner profile Inquiry; knowledge; thinking; communicating; being principled; open-mindedness; risk-taking; and reflection

4. What part of IB… Involves working on an independent research project on a focused project/topic of your own choosing

5. What part of IB… Allows you to investigate an area of interest in a subject you take in IB using your skills in research and using the skills involved in academic research in the field.

6. What part of IB… Matches you with a teacher who has studied in the academic field you are interested in to help you learn and use the research techniques and access the important resources needed for the field of study.

7. Extended Essay Yes, better known as the EE It is a 4000 word essay/report Models research in the field Includes title page; abstract; table of contents; introduction; body; conclusion; and references

8. Inquiry This is a research project It involves the analysis of a focused topic/question It is not just a summary of a topic Each subject has criteria that have to be met

9. Knowledge Preliminary research will have to be done in order to focus a topic Research will let you know what is currently known about the topic This will give rise to a question Research/inquiry continues in order to answer the question You will be an expert on the topic when done.

10. Knowledge You need to learn and follow the “ways of research” in the field you choose You need to know the types of primary sources (first-hand resources of the field) that support a field

11. E.g. history Research is based on primary sources like artifacts; maps; speeches; journals; written work There are experts in the sub-fields of history you need to identify and become familiar with Book reviews tell you why sources are seen as important to the field

12. E.g. Science Primary sources include first hand articles published in peer-reviewed journals They look like “lab reports” and explain current results of the latest research

13. Thinking All essays should involve analysis and investigation The answer should not be easily found It doesn’t have to be new knowledge

14. Communication The essay needs to follow good form (persuasive or argumentative) Be well-written, logical Have good grammar and spelling You need to communicate your problems with your supervisor clearly

15. Principled You must work with integrity and honesty. You must credit all sources you use (need to cite properly) The work must be your own. It must be free of plagiarism. (turnitin.com)

16. Open-mindedness The essay must take an unbiased view. It is not about your opinion…it is about what you can prove. You need to find experts whose ideas and work supports your argument.

17. Risk-taking Working independently on a big project is scary. Working with a teacher one-on-one can be intimidating. There are supports for the process.

18. Reflection You must identify when you need help. You must know who to go to. You need to identify what the best way is to answer a question or solve a problem You need to use the process steps and supports as checkpoints along the way in order to meet deadlines

19. Subjects Mathematics Chemistry Biology French English History

20. Topics Specific questions that flow from an area

21. E.g. history Topic: Cuban missile crisis Research Question: How and why have explanations of the Cuban missile crisis changed since 1962?

22. E.g. Biology Topic: Wildlife in urban areas Reseach question: Does every other week garbage pick-up increase the raccoon population in a suburban area?

23. Assessment The extended essay is developed and written over the course of 18 months (start in Sept. of grade 11 and due Dec. of grade 12 year) It is marked externally against criteria that are the same for all subject areas.

24. Resources Myself (Extended Essay coordinator) Supervisor (Teacher mentor) Librarian Library website -IB EE resources section Set of checkpoint sheets In-services run