Step 1: Get Inspired and Generate Ideas!
During this step it is essential that you do NOT yet limit your mind to a single idea or topic. The goal of this step is the very opposite: open your mind to as many of your interests and passions as possible -- let your mind generate as many ideas and paths of inquiry as possible!
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* Begin with this presentation: Idea Generation / Brainstorming
Task 1: Create a Personal Interest Mind Map
Begin a mind map of your ideas by following these steps:
a. Generate a list of stimuli -- this is a list of words that capture your interests, hobbies, intellectual pursuits, or ideas that spark your curiosity!
A sample list of stimuli is given but, everyone will have a unique list.
b. Begin your mind map with your stimuli, with each stimulus being a hub from which many thoughts and ideas radiate. Let your mind wander freely, let the ideas flow naturally. Make connections as you see them.
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Step 2: Connect to Course Topics
Task 2: Connect your Personal Interest Mind Map with Course Topics
Using the curriculum mind maps for our course, on your personal Mind Map (begun in Step 1), in detail, note mathematical ideas and approaches that can possibly be connected to or used to investigate or analyze your topic ideas and questions. Remain open and free in your thinking --
no idea, no connection is wrong or unjustified. Anything is possible.
--> Presentation
--> Link to Course Topic Mind Maps here
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Step 3: Get Inspired by the Work of Others
Now that you have generated ideas based on personal interests and now that you have considered how course topics can be used to explore your personal interests, you are ready to get inspired by the work of students who have come before you. See this presentation.
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Task 3: Continue adding to your Personal Interest Mind Map
using a variety of resources including past IAs
--> Open this file to see the many creative ways in which students have
applied mathematics to the exploration of their personal interests !
* For more inspiration and ideas:
--> Exploration Ideas
--> Inspiring mathematics websites and channels
--> Data Sources
--> Sample Modeling Tasks
--> Classic Math Puzzles
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Step 4: Focus in on 3 IA Topic Ideas
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Using your Personal Interest Mind Map, narrow down your focus to
3 potential IA topics. Do not put everything into 1 idea yet. Strive to develop three ideas that would each make an interesting and viable IA topic for you.
Task 4: Prepare a 3 Idea Presentation that you will make to your Peers
Use the presentation template provided to create a presentation that you will present to your peers. You will receive feedback and guidance that will help you make your final topic selection.
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Step 5: Select a Topic, Make a Proposal
Task 5: Complete and submit an IA Topic Proposal
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Using your Mind Map and 3 Ideas Presentation, narrow in on a
single IA Topic -- It is time to select your IA Topic.
Use the Proposal Form provided to you.
Step 6: Get to Know the IA Rubric
Task 6: Learn and Take Notes About the Assessment Criteria
You will be provided the Assessment Criteria Rubric.
This will include empty space beside each criterion.
In this empty space, add key notes and tips, things
that stand out to you as you study and read the
presentation linked below.
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--> Assessment Criteria Rubric with Additional Notes: SL HL
--> Presentation: Criteria Described and Tips for Success
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Step 7: Grade Sample IAs
Now that you better understand the criteria and IA rubric, let's check our understanding of the IA grading process by reading and grading several IAs
together. This will also allow you to see what a completed IA looks like.
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Below, find Sample IAs provided by the IB.
Each includes:
- the original report
- a file annotated by the IB grader
- a file with notes and scores.
Syllabus Topic
Number Functions Geometry Probability
& Algebra & Modeling & Trigonometry & Statistics Calculus
Step 8: Use an IA Outline to Begin your Exploration
You've brainstormed. You've considered options. You've done some preliminary research. And, you've submitted your Proposal.
Now, it's time to begin your IA.
Before starting your Outline/Draft, consider how to write mathematically:
Article Sample 1 Sample 2 Language Usage
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As you review the four articles above, compile a list of
"mathematical writing tips" for yourself.
When you are ready, begin. Use the provided IA Outline Template.
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Step 9: Data Analysis (if applicable)
You have an outline and, if you have a data-based IA,
you have a large collection of raw data. What now?
1. To start, each data variable can be described using basic descriptive statistics: mean, median, mode, quartiles, standard deviation, variance, and so on.
2. Then, each data variable can be represented using some type of visual representation: bar graph, histogram, pie chart, box and whisker plot.
3. Finally, relationships can be found between pairs of data variables using linear correlation. This can be bivariate (for one independent to one dependent variable) OR multivariate (several independent variables to one dependent variable).
4. Following that, other statistical tests (Chi Square, Goodness of Fit, and the T-Test) can be run depending what your analysis goals are.
* Pearson Correlation Coefficient -- Google Sheets template
* Chi-Square Test - Google Sheets template
Steps 3 and 4 are explained in more detail with video links in this document: IA Tips - Data Analysis
Step 10: Draft IA Feedback and Checklist
You have completed your IA Draft.
Both before and after receiving teacher feedback, you should:
- get a peer to read it and give you feedback and advice
- do your own reflection, consider the rubric and requirements carefully
--> Use this IA Checklist and this IA Checklist
