IB DiplomaEnvironmental Systems and SocietiesJill Rutherford :05/10/2009 1 IB DiplomaEnvironmental Systems and SocietiesJill Rutherford


What? :05/10/2009 2 What? Group 4 experimental science OR Group 3 individuals and societies OR Group 3 and 4 transdisciplinary subject – Environmental Systems and Societies All the same course and assessment


Flexibility :Flexibility


What? :What? Initiative to increase hexagon flexibility Covers 2 Groups – 3 and/or 4 in 1 SL Developed over last 10 years from EVS ESS is always more than a Group 4 subject One of three TSLs – others are World Cultures 3/6 (not going ahead) Text and Performance 1/6


Why? :Why? 40 year old Diploma hexagon – straightjacket? ESS always more than Group 4 science


Take, for example,… :Take, for example,… A pupil who is good at humanities, hates sciences, and doesn’t know what he wants to do with his future. Like this one.


The Uncertain Humanist :The Uncertain Humanist Replaces Group 6 with an extra Group 3 humanity: English HL History HL Economics HL Does Env Systems & Societies which is more a social science than a pure science Keeps French going and acquires some European literary and cultural knowledge to complement History and English Group 1 Language Group 6 The Arts Group 4 Experimental Sciences Group 2Second Language Group 3Individuals& Societies Group 5Mathematics English HL Replaced by Extra Gp3 History HL & Economics HL Maths Studies SL Env Systems & Societies SL French B SL


Or his opposite number… :Or his opposite number… The pupil who likes sciences, hates writing essays, and knows she wants to study Chemistry at university? There she is.


The Certain Scientist :Group 1 Language Group 6 The Arts Group 4 Experimental Sciences Group 2Second Language Group 3Individuals& Societies Group 5Mathematics The Certain Scientist Replaces Group 6 with an extra Group 4 science: Maths HL Physics HL Chemistry HL Does Env Systems & Societies which contains plenty of Biology Keeps French and English going at standard level, retaining a balanced education English SL Replaced by Extra Gp4 Env Systems & Societies SL Maths HL Physics HL&Chemistry HL French B SL


Let’s try another… :Let’s try another… A budding entrepreneur, aspiring to work for a blue-chip multinational banking or IT corporation.


Global Entrepreneur :Group 1 Language Group 6 The Arts Group 4 Experimental Sciences Group 2Second Language Group 3Individuals& Societies Group 5Mathematics Global Entrepreneur Replaces Group 6 with an extra Group 3 Economics HL Geography HL Prepares for future in banking or IT with Maths HL Does Spanish to give access to Europe, South America and USA Gains awareness of globalisation through Geography and Env Systems & Societies English SL Replaced by Extra Gp2 Economics HL&Geography HL Maths HL Spanish SL Env Systems & Societies SL


Or… :Or… A seriously focused linguist, who is aspiring to a top 10 university?


Focused Linguist :Group 1 Language Group 6 The Arts Group 4 Experimental Sciences Group 2Second Language Group 3Individuals& Societies Group 5Mathematics Focused Linguist Replaces Group 6 with an extra Group 2 language: French B HL German B HL Does Env Systems in Groups 3 AND 4, freeing up another option for another language: Spanish HL 3 languages! Acquires useful skills in Maths Studies to assist potential future business career in Europe English HL Replaced by Extra Gp2 Env Systems & Societies SL Maths Studies SL Env Systems & Societies SL French B HL German B HLSpanish B SL


And, lastly… :And, lastly… The dramatic artist, who wants to take two Arts subjects (never before possible)


Committed Artist :Group 1 Language Group 6 The Arts Group 4 Experimental Sciences Group 2Second Language Group 3Individuals& Societies Group 5Mathematics Committed Artist Two Group 6 arts subjects at HL Does Env Systems in Groups 3 AND 4, freeing up another option for another arts: Theatre HL Ab intio language Potential to apply to art school/drama college English HL Vis Arts HL Theatre HL Env Systems & Societies SL Maths Studies SL Env Systems & Societies SL Spanish ai SL


Who takes it? :Who takes it? Terminal scientists Artist specialists Linguists EVS 3000+ per year Fastest growing IB Diploma subject


Criticisms :Criticisms Less ‘science’ Less Inds and Socs – Group 3 Too much specialisation Rigour? Assessment? Grade distributions Academic snobbery Acceptability to universities


Course content :Course content Development of Env Systems Meets Group 3 and 4 aims Env philosophies Ecological footprints Sustainability Analytical ecology


ToK and ESS :ToK and ESS Ideal vehicle Global warming issue Bias Issues of Knowledge Bjorn Lomborg


Why take it? :Why take it? Has academic rigour Teacher specialities? Relationship to the world out there Transdisciplinary Increased flexibility for students


So to the student… :So to the student…


How much? :05/10/2009 22 How much? 2-3 hours per week 150 hour course A 3 day field course? Practical work – 20% so about 30 hours


What’s it about? :05/10/2009 23 What’s it about? Big environmental issues? What happens when we run out of fossil fuels? Are there too many people on Earth? Are we causing the next mass extinction? Can we continue using as many resources as we do?


What’s it really about? :05/10/2009 24 What’s it really about? Environmental issues Climate change Ozone depletion Deforestation Loss of biodiversity Ecosystems How they work The atmosphere and pollution And much more


So.. :05/10/2009 25 So.. It’s a mixture of Geography, Ecology and a bit of politics and economics You can read about it everyday in the papers It is the least ‘sciency’ science


Who takes it? :05/10/2009 26 Who takes it? You don’t want to continue science beyond the end of school You are vaguely interested in the environment You have to take a Group 4 subject in IB but you don’t fancy the others You are passionate about saving the world…


What is involved? :05/10/2009 27 What is involved? It is half theory and half practical Some field work (so be prepared to get muddy at times) Some lab experiments


What does it go with? :05/10/2009 28 What does it go with? You may take this with Geography or Biology and there is a good deal of overlap so you cover the material twice which helps you You may take Economics which looks at the same issues from another viewpoint Or with any other subject


Where does it get you? :05/10/2009 29 Where does it get you? Recognised as an experimental science by universities Understand our environment and what we are doing to it Relevant to the world we try to live in


Environmental Systems and Societies? :05/10/2009 30 Environmental Systems and Societies? As your group 4, or group 3 or group 3 and 4 subject So it allows you to take two arts in group 6 or three languages in group 2 – increasing flexibility


Find out more? :05/10/2009 31 Find out more?


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Exams – EA + IAIA 20% of final mark :Exams – EA + IAIA 20% of final mark 05/10/2009 39