The Group 4 Project environmental, social and ethical implications of science.

1. The Group 4 Project environmental, social and ethical implications of science.

2. Link to TOK • the limitations of scientific study.

3. The emphasis is on interdisciplinary cooperation and the processes involved in scientific investigation, rather than the products of such investigation.

4. The intention is that students analyse a topic or problem which can be investigated in each of the science disciplines offered by a school.

5. Project Stages

6. Planning • All science students meet to "brainstorm" and discuss the central topic, sharing ideas and information. • After selecting a topicor issue which can be investigated in the school labs, the activities to be carried out must be clearly defined before moving from the planning stage to the action and evaluation stages.

7. Definition of Activities • define specific tasks either individually or as members of groups, and investigate various aspects of the chosen topic. • Students in each science subject write down relevant aspects that could be studied given the local circumstances, resources etc.

8. Report Back • All students will then discuss issues such as possible overlap and collaborative investigations.

9. Action • Practical activity.

10. Evaluation • The emphasis during this stage is on students sharing their findings, both successes and failures, with other students. • Each group will be expected to give a brief power point presentation including photographs,diagrams and even animations of your investigation. • Each project will be peer reviewed.

11. Assessment • The group 4 project forms one part of a candidate's overall practical experience and does not contribute any fixed percentage to internal assessment.

12. Participation • Each student must produce the following evidence of participation. • 1. A statement written by the student about his/her own individual contributions • 2. A copy of a self-evaluation form • 3. A copy of a peer-evaluation form • 4. A copy of the presentation. • 5. All rough work or a record of data collected by the student

13. Candidates who are taking two group 4 courses . • Must do two action phases, ie two experimental phases. • The planning and evaluation phases are common to all candidates, irrespective of the number of science subjects taken. • Candidates studying two subjects must do twice as much “hands-on” practical work in the action phase. • They can investigate the same problem/issue from the perspective of two science disciplines.