Every IB pupil chooses one subject from group 4— sciences. Every year, students complete a project allowing them to “appreciate the environmental, social and ethical implications of science”.
Pupils begin by brainstorming ideas for a theme across all of the sciences. A vote is taken by the pupils to choose the overall winner. In 2004, ready meals were chosen whilst in 2010, the scientists explored fruit.
After a theme is chosen, a research question is created by each individual group. Each group focuses on a different aspect of the theme. For example, in 2004, biologists looked at the additives and nutritional content of ready meals, chemists tested their salt and fat content, physics pupils explored how well ready meals absorbed microwaves, and finally environmental systems students investigated the recycling properties of packaging.
The aim of the project is to help students experience how to organise a scientific project from inception to completion.
