IB Chemistry SL Final Project – Independent Study (50 points)
This project is an opportunity for you to work cooperatively in a group researching a subject of chemistry that interests you. Although the focus of this project is to be something fun and interesting, the quality of work is expected to be high. No two presentations may have the same subject for all presentations given by 5th and 3rd period IB Chem SL classes.
Topic subjects are expected to cover some concept of chemistry covered during first or second semester. Topics outside of this will be considered on a case by case basis. Any topics outside the specified area of research will be approved if you as a group have a firm plan to accomplish the task and I agree it is appropriate.
Each group will have the option to do a project in one of the following areas. Those areas are: 1) Lab Work – resulting in a demo presentation, 2) Oral Presentation from independent research, or 3) Video Presentation – hardware must be provided by students. Each group is to ensure that a chemistry principle is fully explained and connected to the content. Also to be highlighted is the practical application of the concept or why a person would benefit from knowing this information.
Students are expected to be productive and engaged at ALL times. Students are also expected to meet all project deadlines. Individuals violating these rules may find themselves assigned independent study solely at the discretion of the teacher. This will include review homework problems to be turned in each week and worked on each day of class.
Because this is a group project, peer grading will be a portion of each person’s grade. Each team member will be awarded ten points to assign to team mates based upon participation and value of work done by the person being graded. These scores will be taken from each person anonymously by the teacher. The scores will be submitted on a sheet of paper with each group member’s name and an assigned point value. Also on the paper will be the name of the person assigning those points. This information will be kept confidential. Only a student’s complete score will be shared when all sheets are tallied.
Schedule
Monday 5/17 – Groups to meet and decide on topics
Tuesday 5/18 –Group topic choices due at the beginning of class for teacher approval. Rough draft of project outline due at end of class. This rough draft is to include a clear description of each person’s part of the project with specific tasks and dates that they are due. Each person must sign the draft showing that they agree to the schedule.
5/19 -5/27 – Independent work in library, lab stations, or at desks.
5/24 – Progress Check – An updated plan for the project should be finalized for each person’s duties and should show a progress description for each task in the following form. All tasks are to be assigned to a person. Each task is to have the original date it was to be done. An additional statement is to be added stating: “on schedule”, “new due date”, “task changed with new due date”, or “task dropped”. This report is due at the beginning of class. The teacher will meet with each group for 10 minutes or less to determine if the group is progressing satisfactorily.
6/1 – Progress Check – repeat procedure for 5/20
6/3 – Presentations due – Schedule your group’s time to present in 10 minute blocksfor this day with the teacher. Each person is to have a speaking part and provide a part of the written report.
Requirements
- Each group is to provide a computer disc containing their complete presentation write up with listed resources. 3 subject resources are required to be listed. This is to be provided at the time of presentation to the teacher. Copies will be made available to all students of each presentation from both classes. These will be given out the following week.
- Groups of 3 or less
- 10 Minute Presentation on Approved Topic