In the Diploma Programme, the Group 4 Project is an interdisciplinary, scientific research activity that all DP science students must participate during their DP studies. The Group 4 Project is the only time that a cohort can work together regardless of chosen group 4 courses. The exercise should be a collaborative experience where the emphasis is on the processes involved in, rather than the products of such an activity. At Kuei Shan, the theme of this year’s G4 Project is “Improving the environmental awareness in the local and global communities.”
Our grade 11 and 12 students started off the project as early as Monday, Sep 2. They chose their groups, their topic, and their research question. Each group chose a topic based on the Global Issues Network's 20 global issues. A wide variety of research topics were chosen, from fishery depletion to global infectious diseases.
They then worked for several weeks on researching the topic's background information, the essential scientific problem, and finally, proposed solutions. The students then collated all their information and created colorful, scientific infographics dense with the fruits of their labor. On October 21 and October 22, our Grade 11 and 12 students had their Group 4 Project Exhibition, respectively. At the exhibition, each of the groups presented their infographic and research in five minute presentations.
Some groups had great presentation skills; others had clear and aesthetically pleasing infographics. Still other groups had great research and realistic proposed solutions. The groups peer evaluated each other and chose the best presentations to be presented during the high school assembly. Overall, the Group 4 Project was a successful and meaningful learning experience for all the students.
