Overview of the Extended Essay

How does this impact you and what does it mean for students?

The great…

Extended Essay!

WIHI Extended Essay

Extended Essay – What is it?

• The EE (acronym for ‘Extended Essay’) is “an in-depth study of a focused topic chose from the list of approved Diploma Programme subjects – normally one of the student’s six chosen subjects for the IB diploma.

• High level research and writing skills

• Compulsory for all DP students

• Externally Assessed and combined grade for TOK. Contribute up to 3 points for the IB diploma score

Cont…

• Piece of independent research/investigation on a topic chosen by the student (in cooperation with a “supervisor” (or mentor) of the school.

• Formal piece of scholarship no more than 4,000 words.

• Approximately 40 hours of work by student over the course of 1 year (spring junior/fall senior).

• Concluded with a short interview (viva voce) with supervisor.

The Extended Essay is a culmination of all the skills the student has learned at WIHI.

EE Subject Areas

• History

• Mathematics

• Music

• Physics

• Visual Arts

• World Studies

• Group 1

• Group 2

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Economics

Who is involved?

Students – Duh….

Students produce the work that is:• No more than 4000 words and contains:

– Title Page

– Table of Contents

– Acknowledgements (Optional)

– Abstract

– Text (Body)

– Appendices

– Bibliography

Who is involved?

Parents

• Be informed• Monitor • Provide• Support

Who is involved?

EE Coordinator

Mr. Brooke Pierson

AAMP. (“let’s get aamped!)Assign. Assist. Monitor. Provide.

Supervisors

• Who is a Supervisor?• Any faculty, chosen by the Student and

coordinator who has expertise in the chosen subject area.

• Supervisors:• Read, Advise, make predicted grades, and

complete IB folders before essays are sent to examiners

What a Supervisor’s job is NOT

• It is NOT to do the work for the students• It is NOT to spend hours correcting student

work/paper. • Supervisors WILL offer general comments or make

suggestions but are NOT to mark up student’s paper and/or spend time editing.

• Supervisors will NOT have 50 students. Each supervisor will have approximately 5 students.

Remember…Students SHOULD initiate time with Supervisor. Not the other way.

How supervisors are selected?

• Students will sign up via moodle• EE coordinator will make assignments

Who is involved?

• Librarian– Provide support– Provide opportunity for research– Assist students in writing/research skills

• Will be addressed during specific pull-out time per timeline.

Time - Line

• Spring Junior Year to Fall Senior Year• Papers will be completed by middle/late October

• Students are to work during the summer.• Scheduled meeting dates are in 1 or 2 week

blocks. Students are to set-up appointments.

Student Topics

• Do not choose a topic you have used for another IB assessment (no double-dipping)

• Do not choose approaches that are largely narrative, descriptive, or biographical

• Do not choose trite issues (e.g., capital punishment, abortion, drug legalization , etc.)

• Do not choose issues about which you have a bias

Sample Student Research Questions

• Group 1: What is the significance and function of the character Eustace in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia?

• Physics: How is the amplitude of a swing affected by the displacement of the center of mass in a parametrically pumped swing?

• Visual Arts: What is the symbolic meaning of the DIA north and south wall mural Detroit Industry by Diego Rivera?

Sample Student Research Questions

• Music: At a glance, Bach and Schoenberg seem to have nothing in common. How are the two composers linked when viewing their works from a technical point of view?

Common Mistakes

• Too general of topic• PROCras..ti…..

– VIDEO GAMES!!!

• Failing to read the subject guidelines

• Writing on the same topic as their history assessment!!!!!

• Choosing topics that require little or no analysis or conclusion

Overall Assessment is based on:

• Research Question• Introduction• Investigation• Application• Language• Conclusion