Inquiry-Based Project (Culminating Project) - 6.3.5.2.4 | Connecting Concepts: Interdisciplinary Approaches | IB MYP Grade 9 Individual and Societies
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6.3.5.2.4 - Inquiry-Based Project (Culminating Project)

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Formulating Inquiry Questions

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we'll start our Inquiry-Based Project by formulating our inquiry questions. An inquiry question is the core of your researchβ€”it should be specific, open-ended, and engage with real-world issues. Can anyone give me an example of a good inquiry question?

Student 1
Student 1

How does climate change affect sea level rise in coastal areas?

Teacher
Teacher

Great example, Student_1! It’s specific and allows for extensive research. Remember, a good inquiry question often begins with 'how' or 'why.' What’s another example?

Student 2
Student 2

What are the social impacts of migration on urban communities?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly, Student_2! It engages with a contemporary issue. Let's use the acronym 'SCOPE,' which stands for Specific, Challenging, Open-ended, Relevant, and Engaging to help us remember the essential aspects of a strong inquiry question.

Student 3
Student 3

So, if I want to ask about educational inequality in different regions, would that count?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, Student_3! That's a strong inquiry question. The next part is exploring various sources to gather information. Remember, your questions should guide your research, and you'll need to gather a range of materials to support your points.

Teacher
Teacher

In summary, effective inquiry questions are specific, challenging, open-ended, relevant, and engaging. Use the 'SCOPE' acronym to help guide your question formulation as you begin your projects!

Research and Source Analysis

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Teacher
Teacher

Now that we have our inquiry questions, let's talk about how to conduct research effectively. What types of sources do you think we should consider?

Student 4
Student 4

We should look for books and academic articles, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely, Student_4! Those are primary sources. What else?

Student 1
Student 1

Maybe websites or documentaries?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! But we must evaluate these sources. Always ask yourself, 'Who wrote this? What is their expertise?' This leads us to the acronym 'CARS' for evaluating sources: Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness, and Support. Can anyone explain one of these criteria?

Student 2
Student 2

Credibility means checking if the author or source is reliable!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Always prioritize credible sources when conducting your research. After you've gathered your information, how will you start to analyze it?

Student 3
Student 3

I think we should look for trends or patterns in the data we find?

Teacher
Teacher

Great point, Student_3! Identifying trends is essential for critical analysis. As you analyze your research, make sure to back up your claims with evidence. In summary, utilize diverse sources, check their credibility with 'CARS,' and always look for patterns during your analysis.

Presentation Formats

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now that we’ve discussed research and analysis, let’s talk about how you’ll present your findings for the Inquiry-Based Project. What formats do you think would be effective?

Student 4
Student 4

We could do a research report, like a formal essay?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct, Student_4! Research reports are one option. But what about other creative formats?

Student 1
Student 1

How about multimedia presentations, like slideshows?

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent idea, Student_1! Multimedia presentations can incorporate visual aids to enhance your points. Have any of you considered using a documentary format?

Student 2
Student 2

That sounds fun! We could interview people or include video footage.

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Documentaries provide a unique storytelling angle. Remember, no matter which format you choose, make sure to engage your audience with compelling visuals and clear communication. In summary, consider various creative formats for your project presentationβ€”be it a research report, multimedia presentation, or even a documentary.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section focuses on the Inquiry-Based Project, encouraging students to explore personal interests within a structured framework.

Standard

The Inquiry-Based Project serves as a culminating assessment in the IB MYP Grade 9 Individuals and Societies course, stressing the importance of independent inquiry, comprehensive research, and critical analysis. Students are empowered to choose their topics, formulate inquiries, and present findings in diverse formats, enhancing their skills and sense of agency.

Detailed

Inquiry-Based Project (Culminating Project)

The Inquiry-Based Project represents the culminating assessment for students enrolled in the IB MYP Grade 9 Individuals and Societies course. This project is designed to encompass all the core objectives of the MYP curriculum, namely: Knowing and Understanding, Investigating, Communicating, and Thinking Critically. Students will have the opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest that resides within the Individuals and Societies framework.

Key Components of the Project:

  1. Formulation of Inquiry Question: Students will begin by developing a focused inquiry question that drives their research and exploration.
  2. In-Depth Research: This phase involves gathering information from a variety of sources, including books, articles, interviews, and multimedia resources, ensuring a well-rounded perspective on the chosen topic.
  3. Critical Analysis and Synthesis of Information: Students will analyze the gathered data and synthesize their findings, allowing them to draw meaningful conclusions and insights.
  4. Presentation of Findings: The final component is the presentation of their work. Students can choose from multiple formats, such as extended essays, research reports, multimedia presentations, documentaries, or exhibitions, allowing for creativity and personal expression.

The project not only assesses students' academic skills but also fosters independent learning, engagement, and a strong sense of agency, essential qualities for responsible global citizenship within the context of Individuals and Societies.

Audio Book

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Objective of the Inquiry-Based Project

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This is a comprehensive assessment designed to address all four MYP I&S objectives: "Knowing and Understanding," "Investigating," "Communicating," and "Thinking Critically." It also heavily assesses ATL skills.

Detailed Explanation

The Inquiry-Based Project serves as a significant assessment within the Individuals and Societies framework. It is meant to evaluate students on four essential objectives of the MYP program: knowing the content (understanding key concepts related to societies), investigating by researching and analyzing information, communicating findings effectively, and thinking critically about the events, processes, and implications they study. Additionally, it assesses Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, which help students develop lifelong learning strategies.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this project like creating a mini-research thesis. Just like a researcher focuses on a particular question within their field and uses various methods to gather data, students select a topic of interest, gather data from multiple sources, and present their findings. Imagine someone researching the impact of community gardens on urban areas; they will need to know the relevant background (Knowing), investigate through interviews and surveys (Investigating), present their results (Communicating), and critically look at the implications of their findings (Thinking Critically).

Choosing a Topic

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This project allows you significant choice in exploring a topic of personal interest that falls within the Individuals and Societies framework.

Detailed Explanation

Students are encouraged to select a topic that they find personally interesting, which is important because it fosters engagement and motivation. By allowing choice, students can explore areas that resonate with their passions or concerns, making the research process more meaningful and enjoyable. The selected topic must link to the content studied in the Individuals and Societies curriculum, ensuring that the inquiry process remains grounded in relevant concepts.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine being offered a buffet of dishes where you can pick anything you like to create your own meal. If you love Italian food, you might choose pasta and a salad, while a friend might prefer sushi. Similarly, in this project, students pick a 'dish' from the vast menu of global issues, historical events, or cultural studies that they are passionate about, creating a personal connection that enhances their learning experience.

Research Process

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You will formulate your own inquiry question, conduct in-depth research using diverse sources, critically analyze and synthesize information, and present your findings in a chosen format (e.g., extended essay, research report, multimedia presentation, documentary, exhibition).

Detailed Explanation

The research process involves several steps, starting with formulating a clear inquiry question that guides your investigation. Once the question is established, students conduct thorough research, gathering information from various sources such as books, articles, interviews, and online resources. The next phase is critical analysis and synthesis, where students evaluate the reliability of their sources and integrate the information to support their conclusions. Finally, students present their findings in a format that best showcases their work, such as a written report or a multimedia project, allowing for creativity in how they communicate their findings.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this process like preparing for a big presentation at work. First, you need to clarify what you're presenting about (formulate your question), gather data from reports and previous projects (conduct research), evaluate which information is most relevant (critically analyze), and then create a presentation that clearly conveys your findings to your team (presenting your findings). Just like in work situations, the more structured and thorough your approach, the more effective your presentation will be.

Mirroring MYP Interdisciplinary Unit

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This project is designed to mirror the process of the MYP Interdisciplinary Unit (IDU) or serve as preparation for the MYP Personal Project, fostering independent learning and agency.

Detailed Explanation

The Inquiry-Based Project is structured to resemble the MYP Interdisciplinary Unit (IDU), which encourages students to draw connections across different subject areas in a cohesive manner. By engaging in this project, students practice collaborative and individual research skills while fostering independent learningβ€”an essential aspect of the MYP curriculum. The project also prepares students for their MYP Personal Project, where they will carry out a significant amount of independent work in a chosen area of inquiry, further developing their research, time management, and self-reflection skills.

Examples & Analogies

You can think of this as preparing for a significant examination or project at a university. Just as university students often have to pull together knowledge from various courses to complete a capstone project, MYP students must connect different fields of knowledge to create a cohesive project that combines their learning experiences. It’s like being an investigator who pieces together clues from various investigations to solve a larger mystery.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Inquiry Question: A guiding question that directs research and exploration.

  • Research Skills: Abilities necessary for gathering, assessing, and synthesizing information.

  • Presentation Formats: Different ways to share findings, including reports, presentations, and creative formats.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • A student researches climate change and develops a multimedia presentation illustrating the effects on local ecosystems.

  • A student investigates urban migration patterns and writes a research report that includes interviews with community members.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎡 Rhymes Time

  • For your inquiry, don’t be shy, ask β€˜how’ or β€˜why’—let questions fly!

πŸ“– Fascinating Stories

  • Once in a classroom, students formed a circle, asking each other questions that twirledβ€”a journey of inquiry where each voice mattered, leading them to explore topics that truly flattered.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember CARS: Check Credibility, Assess Accuracy, survey Reasonableness, find Supportβ€”drive your research!

🎯 Super Acronyms

SCOPE

  • Specific
  • Challenging
  • Open-ended
  • Relevant
  • and Engagingβ€”make your inquiry question captivating!

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: InquiryBased Project

    Definition:

    A project that emphasizes active exploration and independent research on a topic of personal interest within an educational framework.

  • Term: Inquiry Question

    Definition:

    A specific and open-ended question that guides the research process in an inquiry-based project.

  • Term: CARS criteria

    Definition:

    A method for evaluating sources based on Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness, and Support.

  • Term: SCOPE acronym

    Definition:

    An acronym to remember the qualities of a good inquiry question: Specific, Challenging, Open-ended, Relevant, and Engaging.

  • Term: Multimedia Presentation

    Definition:

    A presentation format that utilizes various media such as video, audio, and visuals to enhance communication.