Teaching IB Physics in AKA Schools

Gioko Anthony (E Ds)

The International Baccalaureate

What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma?

• a comprehensive two-year program • a pre-university course of studies with a

global focus• assessment mainly in Year 12• fulfils the requirements of various national

education systems

Unique characteristics• curriculum based on six academic areas

• with a core of special features incorporating:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

• Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

• Extended Essay

ExperimentalScienceGroup 4

LanguageGroup 2

Language A1 Group 1

Individuals& SocietyGroup 3

MathematicsGroup 5

Group 6Arts &Electives

Student Program

one subject from each of the six subject groups• at least 3 and not more than 4 at Higher Level (HL)

• remainder at Standard Level (SL)

participate in the core program• submit an extended essay

• follow TOK course

• engage in CAS activities

IB Assessment

criterion referenced reflects attainment of knowledge and skills variety of assessment methods to value

content and process takes into account different learning styles

and cultural patterns

Award of the IB Diploma

up to 3 additional points for extended essay and work in TOK

each subject performance graded on a 7 point scale

Diploma requires minimum total of 24 points plus satisfactory completion of the extended essay, TOK course and CAS activities

University Recognition

allows ready access to all major world universities

within Victoria, all IB students also sit the GAT and receive a ‘notional ENTER score’

some HL subjects give advanced placement or credit on tertiary courses

Group 4 SubjectsExperimental Sciences

BiologyChemistryDesign TechnologyPhysicsEnvironmental Systems

Course Specifications

• Standard Level

Core 80

Options (2) 30Investigations 25–30

Group 4 Project10-15

Total 150 hours

• Higher Level

Core 80Additional Higher Level

55Options (2) 45Investigations 45-50

Group 4 Project 10-15

Total 240 hours

Course Specifications

• SL group 4 curriculum model

• SL Total teaching hours 150

• Theory 110– Core 80– Options 30

• Practical work 40– Investigations 30– Group 4 project 10

• HL group 4 curriculum model

• HL Total teaching hours 240

• Theory 180– Core 80– Additional higher level (AHL)

55– Options 45

• Practical work 60– Investigations 50– Group 4 project 10

Course – SL (all students)

• Physics & Physical Measurement

• Mechanics

• Thermal Physics

• Waves

• Electricity & Magnetism

• Atomic & Nuclear Physics

Assessment outline SL

Assessment outline HL

Core

• Physics and physical measurement• Mechanics• Thermal physics• Oscillations and waves• Electric currents• Fields and forces• Atomic and nuclear physics• Energy, power and climate change

Course – Additional Higher Level

Motion in fieldsThermal physicsWave phenomenaElectromagnetic inductionQuantum physics and nuclear physicsDigital technology

Options SLOption A: Sight and wave phenomenaOption B: Quantum physics and nuclear physicsOption C: Digital technologyOption D: Relativity and particle physics

Options SL and HLOption E: AstrophysicsOption F: CommunicationsOption G: Electromagnetic waves

Options HLOption H: RelativityOption I: Medical physicsOption J: Particle physics

Internal Assessment

• 8 Assessment criteria are used by the teacher to mark a selection of short and long term investigations. The student & / or teacher selected pracs are then externally moderated by the IBO.

• The Practical Scheme of Work (PSOW) is the complete course of practical work planned by the teacher and acts as a summary of all the investigative activities (including the Group 4 Project) carried out by the student.

• SL students must complete at least 40 hours, including the Group 4 project and HL students 60 hours.

Practical Scheme of Work (PSOW)

29-Sep-08The Simple Pendulum

30-Sep-08ACCERALATION OF THE CART

10-Oct-08Projectile Motion

21-Oct-08Data Analysis of Loaded Metre Rule

12-Nov-08Measuring Instrument circus

25-Nov-08Rate of cooling

Practical Scheme of Work (PSOW)

13-Jan-08 Thermal concepts

10-Feb-08 Flight of an elastic band

1-Mar-09 Investigate the baloon

20-Mar-09 To Investigate the Factors that affect the “bounciness” of Ping - Pong Balls

Practical Scheme of Work (PSOW)

6-May-09 Emf and Internal Resistance of a cell18-May-09 Falling Magnet22-May-09 Electromagnets

29-May-09-31-May-09 Group 4- Donkey Power

5-Jun-09Fundamental vibration and tension in strings - Melde’s experiment.

12-Jun-09 Frequency of a standing wave

26-Jun-09To Use a Current Balance to Verify the Equation “F = B I L”

Practical Scheme of Work (PSOW)

11-Sep-09To Measure the Efficiency of a Transformer

17-Sep-09Data Analysis - Range of gamma radiation in air

13-Sep-09 Power of the Sun

Practical Scheme of Work (PSOW)

5-Feb-10 Photo electric emmision11-Feb-10Work Done and Energy Transfered 18-Feb-10Energy project25-Feb-10Analysing a wave digitization

4-Mar-10Determining Wavelength Using Young's Double Slit

11-Mar-10Rosonance tube

25-Mar-10Finding the Focal Length of a Convex Lens

1-Apr-10Determining Wavelength Using a Diffraction Grating

Group 4 Project

Sample topics:• Water Skiing• Science in the theatre• Surface tension of water• Weathering• Causes and effects of coastal erosion• Science of sport• Summertime• Pollution in the city

Group 4 Project

MLC Group 4 Project 2003

SUMMERTIME and the LIVING IS EASY

1. Groups of 4 or 5 students:1 Physics1 or 2 Chemistry1 or 2 Biology

2. Examination of the topic and definition of activities:(2-4 hours)Each group is to decide on a theme of common interest for the topic Summertime and the Living is Easy.Within each group, students from each Science subject are to brainstorm ideas and note relevant aspects of the theme to be studied. You will need to investigate one aspect of Physics, and one or two aspects of Biology and Chemistry, depending on the number of students in your group and how many subjects they are representing.

3. Action:(5-6 hours/Science subject)

Investigate the topic from the perspective of the individual science discipline. There should be collaboration with other group members, and findings should be shared with other members of the group. One poster, depicting the investigation of the topic from the perspective of each of the individual Science disciplines, is to be constructed for the final presentation and evaluation process.

Note: Students undertaking two Science subjects are required to contribute to both areas of study. These students must complete twice the Action time (10-12 hours) as students only undertaking one Science subject.

Group 4 Project4. Evaluation:

(2-4 hours)The emphasis during this stage will be on students sharing their findings, both successes and failures, with other groups, staff and invited guests.Each group will be required to present its findings using the poster format, and a 5-7 minute oral presentation from each student for each area of Science that the student studied will be required. The presentation should be a collaborative effort involving all the members of your group.

Note: while reference to the poster during the presentation is permitted, reading from the poster is strictly disallowed.

The Group 4 project will contribute toward your Internal Assessment and may be considered in your planning (a), planning (b) and personal skills categories.

The Log BookEach student must keep a log book, regularly documenting their ongoing contribution to the

project.The log book will contain:A record of what was accomplished during each session spent on the project.The time spent on each activity during the project.All notes, resources, etc. collected during the investigation.You will need to consult with your supervising teacher about your activities during each session.

Your supervising teacher will need to sign your book to verify the work completed during each session.

Extended Essay

• One of the requirements of the IB Diploma is for students to write a 4000 word Extended Essay.

• This may be done in any one of the 6 subjects the student takes.

• To assess the EE, there are several General Criteria and also Subject Specific Criteria.

• In Physics, the EE may be experimental, data-based, survey based or a theoretical/computer model. The recommended style is for the EE to be experimental.

EE – Sample Topics

• An investigation in acoustics: the testing of transmissive, reflective and absorptive properties of some common materials.

• On blowing bubbles in liquid: effects of detergent on surface tension.

• The variation in resistance of a wire subjected to different strains.

• The use of interference fringes to measure small displacements.

IB Physics Contacts Facilitator• giokomaina@gmail.com• gioko@akam.ac.ke-Facilitator

Extended Essay• eeakam.wikispaces.com-Extented essay • eeakam.blogspot.com-Extended Essay

CLASS• akamdiplomaphysics.wikispaces.com• group4experimentalsciencesp.blogspot.com