CURIE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
NEWS AND NOTES FROM 2012-2013
Volume 13 / June 2013Curie’s Twelfth IB Diploma Class-2013
Congratulations to the IB Diploma class of 2013! These students have completed all of the requirements of the IB Diploma Programme. They have endured the very rigorous IB curriculum, completing seven classes at the university level both junior and senior years! They have also completed at least 150 hours of Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) activities, the two year Theory of Knowledge course, and the required Extended Essay, which is a research paper that must be completed independently by the students. Congratulations to the class of 2013 Diploma Candidates: Andres Aguilar, Cristina Alarcon, Samia Al-Khalidi, Ana Artiaga, Fabiola Cervantes, Elizabeth Chapman, Jessica Diaz, Brigette Dzialek, Evelyn Flores, Francisco Garcia-Salas, Monica Gonzalez Estrada, Brenda Hernandez, Sally Mei, Nancy Reyes, Flordalia Rodriguez-Garcia, Lizbeth Sanchez, Janet Santos, Miguel Soto, Alejandra Valencia, and Sandra Zavala Leon.
The following students took at least three IB Diploma courses during their junior and senior years:
Araceli Albarran, Hilary Amezquita-Aguirre, Cecilia Banuelos Rosales, Britney Blackshire, Priscilla Chaidez, Kelly Chen, Eduardo Cornejo, Brittany Dimas, Mamoon Farraj, Beatriz Garcia, Jocelyn Garcia, Maria Garcia-Hernandez, Laura Gomez, Alexis Gutierrez, Diana Guzman-Tena, Amanda Herrera, Cruz Nunez, Ashley Ovunwo, Maria Perez-Iribe, Robert Quesenberry, Aileen Rincon, Allen Tse, and Emy Varela.
Congratulations to you all!
Thank you IB Teachers
A special, heartfelt thank you goes out to Curie’s indefatigable IB MYP and Diploma Programme teachers. Their daily hard work and dedication to our IB students is the reason for the annual success of our students. The workload is very demanding for our Diploma students, but it is equally as demanding for our teachers, whose work is also assessed annually by the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Congratulations to Fanny Clonch, Geoffrey Reu and Yuri Urquiza for being named assistant examiners for the International Baccalaureate Organization. They scored IB exams for students from all over the northern hemisphere.
IB Student Accolades
IB sophomores Yadid Gutierez and Angelica Miranda were selected to participate in the Boeing Scholars Program at the Illinois Institute of Technology. They will begin classes in Science, Technology and Math this summer and continue with classes for the next two years.
Once again this year, several IB students were selected to participate in DePaul University’s College Connect Program. Congratulations to Sajedah Al-khazeleh, Citlali Bueno, Araceli Garcia, Wendy Guerrero, Sara Lopez, Josefina Moreno, Jacqueline Nunez, Claudia Ortiz and Karina Pina. They will spend five weeks at DePaul University taking writing and literature courses.
Congratulations to Sylvia Swiercz for being selected as a summer intern for the American Cancer Society. Sylvia will be conducting research with top university professors and graduate students throughout this summer.
Seventh Annual Diploma Programme
Alumni Pep Talk
On December 19, Ms. Barnes welcomed 47 IB Diploma Programme alumni from: DePaul University, Howard University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Illinois Wesleyan University, Loyola University (grad), Milwaukee School of Engineering, Bradley University, University of Chicago (graduates), University of Illinois at Urbana (current students and some grads). The students shared how the IB Diploma Programme helped them to succeed in their course work at their own university.
Curie IB Diploma Alumni News
Congratulations to Joanna Fernandez, Curie
IB Diploma class of 2009 on her graduation from DePaul University. Joanna graduated Magna Cum Laude and had just begun an internship at the public relations firm PCI.
Congratulations to Curie IB Alumni (class of 09) Blanca Hernandez, who recently graduated from DePaul University. After paid summer internships at Google and Target corporate offices, Blanca was hired to work in the Target executive offices.
Congratulations to Robert Slay, Curie IB graduate of the class of 2009. Robert graduated from DePaul University with a double major in Accounting and Finance.
Congratulations to Curie IB graduate (class of 09) Ted Nowak, who graduated early from DePaul University thanks to his IB credits. Ted took a job here in Chicago at a local company where he will be working in the sales department.
Congratulations to Samara Tapia, Curie IB graduate, class of 2009. Samara graduated from DePaul University and will be working as a Math teacher next fall.
Curie IB Alumni News
Curie IB Science Department News
Mr. Crone and Mrs. Hike-Teague’s IB Diploma Physics and Biology seniors were once again this year partners with the Friends of the Chicago River organization. Each year, Mrs. Hike-Teague and Mr. Crone and their IB seniors visit McClaughry Springs to conduct experiments for the required IB Diploma Group 4 Project. During their visit to the springs, the students conducted chemical water quality tests, identified macro invertebrates, calculated stream flow and removed invasive plant species.
IB sophomores and Mrs. Hike-Teague conduct High Altitude Experiments
Throughout this spring, Mrs. Hike-Teague and her IB MYP sophomores were enthusiastically preparing for their Nearspace balloon launch, which took place on May 25. The students received advice from Dr. Bernhard Beck-Winchatz, a professor at DePaul University. In early March the IB sophomores began phase one of the process---to design the labs and write the review of literature (of past experiments). They then had to determine the variables and the controls for their labs, design the procedures for their labs, and write their hypotheses based on their research. Some of the experiments included in the pods to be released into the atmosphere involved the speed of sound, sound intensity, soy bean seeds, crickets, daphnia, ecoli bacteria, and sea urchin eggs. The students were then required to learn how to use the technology provided by a NASA grant to successfully complete the high altitude experiments. Professor Beck-Winchatz came to Curie to train the IB students how to track the balloon with GPS and how to attach the lines to the pods. On May 25, the students and Mrs. Hike-Teague followed the balloons with GPS to retrieve them upon landing to begin the data collection/analysis stage of the lab.
2013 IB Diploma Student Assessment
IB Diploma student achievement is measured by the results from two independent evaluations. Written examinations are graded externally by trained examiners from around the world, and they make up the majority of a student’s grade for each course. Diploma students must also complete an Internal Assessment for each class, which is first graded by the teacher of the course and then sent off for moderation by an expert of the specific subject. This assessment system insures objectivity and reliability, since both IB students and their teachers are externally monitored by the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Here is a list of the mandatory Internal Assessments for the IB Diploma students and the locations to which they will be sent for moderation for the May 2013 examination session.
English Oral Commentaries -uploaded
World Lit Papers--United Kingdom
Spanish HL Orals-uploaded
Spanish HL written work-United Kingdom
Spanish SL Orals-uploaded
Spanish SL written work-New York
French HL Orals-uploaded
French HL written work-Hong Kong
French SL Orals-uploaded
French SL written work-United Kingdom
History of Europe HL (paper)-Florida
ITGS SL Internal Projects-Austria
Biology SL Lab Portfolios-Peru
Physics SL Lab Portfolios-Indonesia
Math Studies Internal Project-Germany
Mathematics SL Internal Project-Croatia
Visual Arts SL/HL Research Books-Zimbabwe
Theory of Knowledge Essays-uploaded / Hard Work pays off for the IB Diploma
Class of 2013:
Curie IB Diploma Candidates work hard to finish the challenging curriculum. In addition to the daunting daily homework load, they must complete a major project or paper for each IB class, oral exams in Spanish or French, an Oral Commentary for English Lit, and finally, in May, a grueling schedule of written exams, which consist of two or three different essay exams for each of the six required courses. Most of them also sat for three or four Advanced Placement (AP) exams throughout their four years at Curie. Their efforts have paid off in the form of acceptances to the following universities:
Augustana College, Bringham Young University, Brown University, Knox College, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Illinois Wesleyan University, Loyola University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Michigan, and University of Wisconsin Madison.
The effort put forth by these students has also helped them to earn generous scholarship packages to the school that they selected. Though Curie students learn of their IB course results once they are published by the International Baccalaureate Organization in July, they will have to wait until they arrive on campus to learn whether they will earn college credit for their IB course work. The IBO will send IB transcripts directly to the universities for their review.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
ALL OF OUR IB SENIORS!
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!
IB Student Accolades (continued)
We are proud to report that once again this year, Curie Metro’s IB Diploma Programme had the most CPS IB students accepted to DePaul University’s IB Summer College Academy. Curie IB will have 23 students attending this prestigious event. This is a weeklong workshop at which students will meet with Admissions Counselors from over 30 top US universities. They will also take a class that will assist them in writing a quality college essay, one in which they learn about financial aid, and one helping them with college interview skills.
Seven Curie IB Diploma rising juniors were selected to attend the seventh annual IB Student Writing Workshop at DePaul University. Congratulations to Wendy Guerrero, Juan Luna, Angelica Miranda, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Katrina Stoker, Marlynn Villarreal and Crystal Tan, who
were selected to participate this year.
Congratulations to Nolberto Garcia, Jorge Rodriguez, Sylvia Swiercz and Marisol Villasenor for being selected to participate in the Questbridge College Match Program. Through this program, the students will be guided through the application process to most of the top very highly selective universities.
IB juniors Jennifer Diaz and Tierra Harris and IB sophomore Jocelyn Tenorio will once again this summer participate in the University of Chicago Collegiate Scholars Program.
Congratulationos to IB freshman Daisy Evariz on her acceptance to the University of Chicago’s Young Scholars Math Program this summer.
IB Diploma graduate (class of 2013) Sandra Zavala Leon was selected to participate in the Lurie Children’s Hospital summer internship program.
Curie IB Diploma Alumni News (continued)
Congratulations to Miriam Orrego, Curie IB graduate from the class of 2009 on her graduation from DePaul University. Miriam was the proud recipient of the prestigious Monsignor Egan Hope Scholarship for outstanding service work, earning $15,000 per year for each of her four years at DePaul University. Miriam earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in International Business. She is working with the Niagara Foundation and with the Chicago Religious Leadership Network in Latin America. She will be working to promote global fellowship with the United Nations and other government organizations. Miriam plans to gain some valuable experience while applying to graduate programs next fall.
Erica Romero, Curie IB class of 2010, is a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. She is the volunteer coordinator for her school’s Habitat for Humanity project and Vice President of MEChA, a Mexican-American group on campus. She is also a member of the Latino Honor Society on campus.
Congratulations to Karina Alcorchas, Curie IB graduate of the class of 2012 on her summer position with the Exelon Summer Institute Program at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Karina just finished her freshman year at Illinois Institute of Technology as a chemical engineering major.
Michelle Dominguez, Curie IB Diploma class of 2011, was honored by being named to the Dean’s List for academic excellence at Illinois Wesleyan! She will spend the summer working as a mentor to participants enrolled at the University of Chicago’s “Source” program, a month long course that promotes STEM learning through computers, video and photography.
IB Science Department News (continued)
Mrs. Hike-Teague took a group of 30 IB seniors to observe a live open heart surgery on May 1, 2013. The surgery was transmitted via closed circuit TV to the Museum of Science and Industry where the students gathered to observe. The students were able to ask all of the doctors and nurses questions as they worked.
Curie Climate Cycle
For the past few years, Curie students and staff have been the top fundraisers for the annual Climate Cycle event. Their efforts have earned over 30 solar panels for our building. Mr. Crone and the IB Physics students have been very involved in the event. In the past, Mr. Crone used his grant money from the event to build a device that allows students in the Physics class to pedal for power during class. Mr. Crone built a desk to fit above the bike, so students can pedal while they take notes in class. This year, Mr. Crone used some of the Climate Cycle prize money to buy portable solar panels and materials to affix the panels to student book bags. Several IB students currently carry book bags with these solar panels attached to them, using them to recharge their small electronic devices.
Many IB students volunteered to plan and work a station at Curie’s first annual SOLARBRATION on March 26, 2013. Curie students and their families were invited to join in on the fun, taking part in a variety of games and visit informational tables to learn about energy conservation, Climate Cycle, and other “green” clubs at Curie. Some of the Curie clubs involved were Marie’s Garden Club, the Recycling Club, the Zoology Club, the Compost Club, and more! Many Curie IB Diploma alumni came back to support Mr. Crone and take part in the fun.
THANK YOU MR CRONE
AND MS. HIKE-TEAGUE
For all of your extra efforts!
IB Student Assessment, continued
The Extended Essay is a major part of the required work that an IB Diploma student must complete in order to qualify for the IB Diploma, a diploma recognized by the finest universities around the world.
The Extended Essay is a 4000 word independent research paper on a topic selected by the student. Each student is assigned an Extended Essay mentor who is an expert in the subject selected by the student. The mentors volunteer to meet one on one with the mentee, to provide guidance regarding research and encouragement throughout this long process.