NAME: Wagner Ona..

The IB Group 4 Project - May

2015

Ecuador
&
Global

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

issues

Page 1

THE GROUP 4 PROJECT AT BSQ INTRODUCTION

The Group 4 Project is a collaborative project undertaken by all students together, during their IB/BSQ Diploma
course. The collaboration may extend to other local institutions and IB schools or to schools in other countries,
through the internet. The Project is a group experience and the emphasis is upon:
Participation;
Interdisciplinary cooperation;
The methodology involved in scientific investigation.
Collaboratively, students explore aspects of one scientific question or topic or problem, within the different science
disciplines offered at BSQ - Biology, Physics and Chemistry. Successful participation in the Group 4 Project is an
obligatory component of the IB Diploma course, and therefore also of the BSQ Diploma.
The products of the research and investigation are not as important as the process and the collaboration.
The Group 4 Project should attempt to address #10 of the IB Group 4 Sciences Aims, that is to:
develop an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and their influence on other areas of
knowledge.
The Project may also be used to address Aims 7 & 8:
Aim 7: develop and apply 21st century communication skills in the study of science.
Aim 8: become critically aware, as global citizens, of the ethical implications of using science and
technology.
The Group 4 Project as BSQ is also used as a full introduction to the needs of the single, moderated IA practical
investigation, which is carried out by every student in the second year.

The Group 4 Project Process

10 hours is allocated to the Group 4 Project, divided into three stages:
PLANNING and DEFINITION OF ACTIVITIES
ACTION completing research and/or investigations, usually in class/lab time
EVALUATION preparation and display of presentation, and sharing of results

<2 hours
<6 hours
<2 hours

Assessment
The Group 4 Project may be used to contribute a maximum of 10 to the total of 40 (SL & BSQ) or 60 (HL) hours
required in the practical Portfolios, assuming the Project is satisfactorily completed.
The group 4 Project cannot be used for IA assessment criteria.

Practical portfolio requirements

Evidence for satisfactory participation in the project is required. This evidence should be collected together in one
place (this booklet with any extra pages or photos attached) and may include the following:
A copy of the initial instructions and guidelines for the project (this booklet) (obligatory)
A students Project log (obligatory)
The completed planning document (Ps 7 & 8)
A statement written by a student about his/her own individual contribution (P 10) (obligatory)
A copy of the self-evaluation (P 9) made at the end of the project (obligatory)
(A laboratory report or complete project report) the presentations which complete the project
Rough work and/or data collected by a student
Photographs or some other evidence of the final presentation poster (obligatory)
Several students at BSQ do two sciences physics/biology and chemistry. The evidence for participation in the Group
4 Project should be included in both sciences, though dual science students need only conduct one investigation.
A Blog has been created for the Group 4 Project: http://blogs.britishschoolquito.edu.ec/group4project/. All the content
from this booklet will be available from the Blog, and more. Some components for assessment must be submitted or
contributed onto the Blog.

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 2

ASSESSMENT
Individual performance in the GROUP 4 PROJECT will be assessed according to an overall team assessment
which is then adjusted for each member of the team. The adjustment will result from a teacher assessment
and a self-assessment made by each member of the team.
The GROUP 4 PROJECT will serve as a useful introduction into the demands of the Independently
Assessed Practical Investigation (IA), which is the single, long piece of course work submitted for
moderation in each of the sciences offered for the IB Diploma.
The expectation is that students will review and closely follow the IB assessment criteria and band levels,
doing their best to obtain as a team the highest score out of 24. From the IB assessment criteria will be
derived an assessment for each team

IB ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
PERSONAL ENGAGEMENT

2 marks

EXPLORATION

ANALYSIS

EVALUATION

COMMUNICATION

TOTAL

24

Full details of the assessment criteria and band level descriptors, as well as a check list at completion, will
be available to students and will be published on the Group 4 Project Blog.

INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT
Each team will be assessed by the Science teachers, according to the IA assessment criteria, to generate one
overall mark (out of 24).
This mark will then be modified according to the student self-assessment and the other requirements
described on pages 7, 8, 9 & 10, and an evaluation made by the science teachers based on individual quality
of work and completion of all the Project requirements. These will generate one single mark for each student
in the team.
This mark will be translated into the grade awarded for the GROUP 4 PROJECT for each student.

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 3

INDIVIDUAL PROJECT LOG BOOK

Every student must independently maintain a Project Log Book, which will be attached to this booklet as
evidence of their participation in the Group 4 project.
The Project Log Book is your personal record it will not be published (on the Group 4 Science Blog). The
style of the Project Log Book is decided by the student, but it must be completed on A4-size paper, in order
to be included in the Practical Portfolio(s) and later photocopied. It is recommended that you at first
complete the Project Log Book on your own school Blog, adding to it as you go along. It should then be
printed out to be included in the Practical Portfolio.
The Project Log Book should refer to every stage of the Group 4 Project, from initial discussions to
choosing a topic and theme, to the final presentation. The Project Log Book is thus a diary of the Project.
The Project Log Book should refer to the entire Project where possible, including contributions made by
other teams, to develop the collaborative investigations of one topic.
The Project Log Book provides a record of participation in the Project and shows the manner in which the
student participated. It may also be used as a rough book, for preparing the various stages of the project.
The Project Log Book should contain a front page, which is completed after the whole project is finished,
which neatly summarises the stages, the dates, and the time spent in each stage, in the form of a calendar.
The Project Log Book is not assessed as such, on its own, but without its completion in full, a student can
not receive a grade for the Group 4 Project, and the student will therefore not satisfy the requirements of the
IB Diploma.

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 4

THE GROUP 4 PROJECT BLOG

The link to the Group 4 Project Blog is: http://blogs.britishschoolquito.edu.ec/group4project/
The opening (Home) page will give a general introduction to the Group 4 Project.
From the Home page various other pages and links and information can be selected, including the specific
page for the 2015 Group 4 Project, called Project June 2015:
http://blogs.britishschoolquito.edu.ec/group4project/project-june-2015/
Every team is expected to create their own sub-page in the Project June 2015 page, with a suitable title,
according to their focused question.
The team pages form an important and obligatory part of the overall requirements of the Group 4 Project. On
these pages should be found ALL the appropriate research, planning, links, documentation, results, analysis,
photos and images which will lead to a better understanding of each teams participation in the Group 4
Project. You may create further sub-pages within a team page.
Be scientific as well as creative with the use of the Blog.
Remember that the Blog is in the public domain. This means that any resources and images used must be
credited, and the content of the pages must be acceptable to any reader who might be researching in your
investigation area.

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 5

The Group 4 Project 2015 - The British School Quito - Timetable

Stage

When

Where

Introduction
to the IA and
the Group 4
Project

Thursday 28th May

14:00-15:20 pm

C-Lab

Monday 1st June

9:00 to 9:40 am

Preparation
and research

C-Lab

9:40 to 10:20 am

Planning

Tuesday 2nd June

10:40 to 11:00 am

Action
Thursday 4th June
All day (Science Fair Day)

Final
Assembly of
Poster
Presentations

C-Lab

C-Lab

Monday 4th June

9:00 to 9:40 am
9:40 to 10:20 am

Presentation

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Library

Notes
Description of Group 4 Project, the Blog and handouts
Presentation about the IA and its requirements and
assessment and moderation
Organisation into teams
Introduction of Project theme
Early planning
Teams brainstorm, with the help of PT, JO and SK, and
discuss ways in which to investigate central topic
Each team decides their area of research and
investigation and completes the summary format on
Page 7 & 8 of this handbook, containing:
Names of team members
Focused topic for investigation
Investigations and research which will be undertaken
Biology, chemistry and physics components
Teams make very short presentation of their summary
in a general meeting, using a mind map prepared in the
planning

Start of research.

Research

Teams review and coordinate their

research

Completion of a precise planning

document which must list all needs and be
delivered to Ms. Daniela Espinoza before the
end of the day.
The investigations are trialed and modified.
Investigations are completed.
Data collected and tabulated.
Results are analysed and treated.
Conclusions are made.
Watch Powerpoint 'How to Make a Scientific Poster'.
(2:00 pm)
Tasks are allocated and work starts on presentations

Teams complete all tasks and jobs

and assemble poster presentation
Final rehearsal of presentation
Teams present their work to Year 11 and invited
students and guests.
A plenary session with the audience to discuss the
findings of the Project
Photos
Evaluation rubrics completed

Deliver Project Portfolio to JO

Page 6

The Group 4 Project - Summary of proposed research investigations

(Each participant should complete this format)

What is the Broad Research Question?

What is the single topic which you will investigate?

Obesity
What questions in each of the subject areas could be experimentally investigated in the
topic you have chosen?
Biology issues
Determining calorie values of juice
substances.

Chemistry issues

Physics issues

Determining the calorie values of the

juice, and the different substances in the
juice when boiling.

Determine work that can be done

from those calories. Which juice will
provide more energy without having
as much sugar.

What might be one research question which links the different investigations you are
proposing and what is its link to one of the 20 global issues listed in Our Choice, Our
Future?

How calories from sugar in juice contribute to obesity

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 7

Who are the members of the group? What areas of research and experimentation will
each one of them be responsible for? Include someone who is responsible for
coordinating everything.

Possible coordinators: Maria Emilia P, Wagner Ona or Patricia Hernandez

Patricia Hernandez:calorimeter (biology issues & Chemistry issues)
Emilia Perkins:(biology issues)
Josue Yepez:Brings lemon 10 , orange 10, half pound of mora fresh fruits. (Physics issues)
Wagner Ona: Organge juice extractor, (Physics issues)
Emilio Yarad: bring del valle juices: mora, lemonade and orange. (biology issues)

Create one planning mind map for the group which outlines what you will be
researching and how everything is linked together. (This mind map will be the basis of
the preliminary presentation made to everyone together at the end of the planning
session.)

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 8

Complete an equipment request, for everything you will need from the Science
Department. Things the Department cannot provide must be brought from home.
No Apparatus/Equipment/Che
.
micals
120ml beakers
Thermometer
3 litres of water
1/2 sugar
pipettes
Fresh (brought from home)
weighting balance
Universal indicator
Bunsen burner
tripod
calorimeter

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Qty.

Comments

10
4
3 litres
1/2
pounds
6

1
1

Page 9

GROUP 4 PROJECT

EVALUATION OF THE PARTICIPATION OF INDIVIDUAL

TEAM MEMBERS
Alone you will reflect upon the participation of each member of your team and record your evaluation using the
rubric below. These evaluations will be put with those completed by the other members of your group and by your
teacher(s), and will be moderated by your teacher(s)according to the IA assessment criteria and band levels. The
maximum score is 7 points.
1

Did not participate in the work of the group; did not stay with the group; showed no consideration, thought,
or interest in the activity; did not contribute in any way; did not want a learning experience.

Only participated because it was obligatory or when instructed to do so, and had to be coerced; did not
voluntarily offer to participate or contribute; put forward no ideas to the group; did not participate or was
unnecessarily negative in discussions; a burden to the group and not a team player; was not motivated to
benefit from a personal learning experience.

Participated reluctantly; only seldom offered ideas or to participate in the planning or design of the
investigation or the poster; not usefully constructive in the group discussions or did not listen; preferred
others to work; was not able to usefully benefit from a personal learning experience.

Participated as needed; prepared to help and work with group members; shared in the planning or design of
the investigation or poster as required; participated usefully in the group discussions; consequently
benefited from a personal learning experience.

Participated and shared in the whole process; offered useful ideas and initiatives; an integral and
constructively active member of the group; aware of the need to benefit from a personal learning
experience.

Helped the group to understand the project, using personal knowledge and experiences; actively helped to
plan and design the investigation and poster; undertook tasks voluntarily; helped to lead the group to good
results; listened to others and accepted their suggestions; was seeking to benefit from a personal learning
experience.

Good leader; active, positive and constructive participation, using personal knowledge and experiences;
helped others throughout the project; did more than his/her share; showed most initiative in the design
of the investigation and poster, and offered many sensible ideas; good insight into problems and offered
rational solutions; dedicated to achieving a personal learning experience and accomplished this most
successfully by understanding personal strengths and weaknesses.

PRINT the full names of your group. INCLUDE YOURSELF IN THIS LIST. Use the rubric above and write a
score (1 to 7) which is your evaluation of the participation of each group member, in the space beside the name.
Names of Group Members

Score (1 to 7)

Maria Emilia Perkins

Patricia Hernandez

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 10

Wagner Ona

Emilio Yarad

Jhouse yepez

GROUP 4 PROJECT

PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION
Write a short statement, outlining how you contributed to this Group 4 Project. This is not
published on the Blog.
Starting from day one my contribution to this project has been truly active; I
collaborated deciding which idea we were going to investigate, thus providing
detailed research to the idea of obesity and sugar in juices. When it comes to what I
was in charged or what I did it goes as following: Day 1 I created a group chat so we
can have discussion outside of class, moreover I was in charge of bringing the juice
extractor the day of the practical. The day of the practical I had many jobs, making
the homemade juices, extracting the concentrated sugar solutions and grinding them
to have a sugar like solution, and finally in charged to provide the Work done
equation and PE=mgH equation to work out how much distance a person has to run
in order to burn off the calories from the juices. Besides the practical part I was in
charged with Emilia Perkins to put all the information my group and I had done onto
the scientific poster, as well as creating the Method, Aim, Hypothesis, Conclusion,
Pictures, research and equation pages in the GROUP 4 PROJECT blog to have
proof of our work and the participation each team member had.

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 11

GROUP 4 PROJECT ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

For successful completion of the Group 4 Project and in order for the Project to be included as 10 hours
of practical investigation, each participant and everyone in the team must participate in all the
activities and turn in all documentation (or copies) to support their participation in the Group 4 Project.
Completed Log-book each student
This should demonstrate a minimum of 10 hours spent on the project.
Final Presentations
1. POSTER which is the final presentation of the teams work and results. This should be based upon the
common format, and include pictures, graphs, summaries, etc. There should be a Title (Research Question),
an Abstract, an Introduction, a Detailed Research Question, an Hypothesis, a description of the Method,
the Results, the Conclusions and Evaluation, and Acknowledgement of the references and resources which
have been used. A photo of the final presentation may be included with other material from the group 4
Project in this Handbook, as evidence of your participation. This evidence may also be uploaded onto the
Group 4 Project Blog. The Poster must satisfy all the needs of assessment for the IA, as described on Page 3
of this booklet, and in the IA Guide Book.
2. MIND MAP/CONCEPT DIAGRAM which, on a single sheet of paper, links all the major ideas of the
groups research investigation to the central theme: OUR CHOICE OUR FUTURE
3. An ORAL PRESENTATION during when the team will describe their research and investigations, and their
results and conclusions.
Personal contribution each student
A paragraph documenting each participants individual contributions to the project.(See Page 10 of this Booklet)
Evidence each student
Each student should provide some evidence of the work they and the group completed. This may be photographs
(of the experimental investigation, or of the final presentation, etc).
Evaluation of the Participation of Individual Team Members. Everyone is required to make an evaluation of
the participation of each group member in the project, using the format Evaluation of the Participation of
Individual Team Members. (See Page 9)
Proper completion of Blog page(s) - Group

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 12

(http://www.globalnetwork.org/)
GIN MISSION STATEMENT
To help students realise they can make a difference by
empowering them to work internationally with their peers to
solutions for global issues.

issues-

develop

In 2002, Jean-Francois Rischard published High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them,
This decisively influential book was published in 2002 and has inspired important environmental debate and
policy making, most especially under the logo, "OUR CHOICE; OUR FUTURE".
Global Issues Network is a worldwide forum which promotes the involvement of students in the active search
for solutions to some of the critical problems which we commonly face.
13 years on, Rischard's book, the logo and GIN could also serve as the keystones for the BSQ 2015 Group 4
Project.

These are the issues which were identified by Rischard:

Twenty Global Issues, Twenty Years to Solve Them

Sharing our planet: Issues involving the global

commons

Global warming
Biodiversity and ecosystem losses
Fisheries depletion
Deforestation
Water deficits
Maritime safety and pollution

Sharing our humanity: Issues requiring global

commitment

Massive step-up in the fight against poverty

Peacekeeping, conflict prevention, combating terrorism
Education for all
Global infectious diseases
Digital divide
Natural disaster prevention and mitigation

Sharing our rule book: Issues needing a global

regulatory approach

Reinventing taxation for the 21st century

Biotechnology rules
Global financial architecture
Illegal drugs
Trade, investment and competition rules
Intellectual property rights
E-commerce rules

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 13

 International labor and migration rules

The BSQ Group 4 Project 2015

OUR CHOICE - OUR FUTURE
Each group should choose one global issue which is embraced by the list presented by Rischard, and
research and, by using scientific experimentation, investigate how the sciences can collaborate to
identify and generate solutions to the problem. The chosen issue/problem must relate to Ecuador in
some way.
The research and experimental investigation should be evidence-based and show a level of
sophistication worthy of an IB student. The evidence must be gathered through both research and
experimentation.
Here are some examples of what might be researched:
Natural disaster prevention and mitigation Volcanoes in Ecuador
Global Infectious Diseases - The Ecuador response to the Swine Flu epidemic
Biodiversity and ecosystem losses - Where have all the animals gone?
Biodiversity and ecosystem losses The Petroleros v The People v The Nation
Water Deficits Quitos water imbalance
Water Safety and Pollution The problems of the Rio San Pedro
Deforestation Illegal logging in Amazonia
Illegal drugs Cocaine production in the Andes region
Fisheries depletion The Galpagos problem
Intellectual Property Rights Who owns the biodiversity of the Amazon basin?
Global Warming Global predictions Ecuador realities
Of course you may use any of the ideas above, but I am sure that you can also come up with something
worthwhile yourselves.

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 14

The general needs of a scientific poster, but...

....BE CREATIVE!!!

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 15

Two example of a Scientific Poster

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 16

Examples of Mind and Concept Maps

Year 12 IB Group 4 Project May 2015

Page 17