What is �the IB Core?

Extended Essay

Part of the IB Core

“The extended essay is a completely open-ended task, directed by student interest. [It] is intended to encourage students to examine significant issues and areas of research that they personally care about in an in-depth and meaningful way…Students learn about the topic of their research, methodology, and critical thinking, but they also learn skills such as time management, perseverance, resilience, and decision-making.”

THE EE PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH:

Practical preparation for undergraduate research

PREPARATION

OPPORTUNITY

Opportunity to investigate a topic of personal interest relates to one of the student's six DP subjects, or takes an interdisciplinary approach

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SKILLS

The research process helps develop skills in:

• formulating an appropriate research question
• communicating ideas
• developing an argument

• Mandatory component of the IB diploma

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• 4,000 word essay on a topic of student’s choice

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• Completed during junior and senior year

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• Externally Assessed by IB

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INITIAL STEPS - JUNIORS

CHOOSE A SUBJECT

FIND A SUPERVISOR

DEVELOP PRELIMINARY QUESTION

MEET WITH SUPERVISOR & BEGIN RESEARCH

Juniors will be introduced to the EE in January

• Formulate research question
• Meet with supervisor
• Conduct initial research
• Students are expected to work on the EE over the summer

Seniors:

• September 20: 2,000-word draft due
• October 7: 4,000-word full draft due
• November 12: Final paper due

Title Page

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Table of Contents

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Introduction

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Body

(development/�methods/results)

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Conclusion

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Footnotes

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Bibliography

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Appendices

(Optional)

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~15 pages

A 4,000-word research paper

https://sturgischarterschool.libguides.com/EEcriteria

https://sturgischarterschool.libguides.com/EEexamples

Extended Essay - Progress Reports and Report Cards

Families receive an update on how their student is doing with their extended essay on every Progress Report and Report Card

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S = Satisfactory = student is meeting the goals for a particular marking period via Google Classroom assignments

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NI = Needs Improvement = student is not meeting the goals for a particular marking period via Google Classroom assignments and should get caught up

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Please feel free to contact me at:

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kconway@sturgischarterschool.org

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Kalli Conway

CAS:

Creativity,

Activity,

Service

CREATIVITY: Exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance

ACTIVITY: Physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle

SERVICE: Collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need

Let’s take a moment to discuss:

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Consider your impression of the IB. Why did they design the CAS program? Why should it be part of your child’s completion of the IB? Why Creativity, Activity, and Service?

A great opportunity to exercise these traits in a real world context:

CAS Experiences

30+ Reflections (about the experiences and project)

CAS Portfolio

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18 months

1 CAS Project

• School-sponsored activities or clubs
• Community-sponsored experiences
• Individual pursuits
• Short- or long-term

CAS can be:

• Academic credit
• Financial or material compensation
• Religious devotion
• Regular family obligation or chore

CAS cannot be:

• Any sports team
• Coding or design
• Helping a teacher in the classroom
• Yoga or pilates
• Photography or art
• Running or the gym
• Volunteering at a community organization

What “counts” for CAS?

• Dance or theater
• School clubs
• Learning an instrument
• Cooking/baking
• Writing a song or poem
• Tutoring or helping a neighbor
• Gardening
• And so much more!

Celebrate your kiddo!

Tell your neighbor 1 or 2 experiences that your teen already does for CAS, or that you think they could try.

CAS on Progress Reports and Report Cards

Families receive an update on how their student is doing in CAS with every Progress Report and Report Card

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S = Satisfactory = student is meeting the goals for a particular marking period (usually 2 reflections per quarter)

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NI = Needs Improvement = student is not meeting the goals for a particular marking period and should get caught up

How can families help CAS? And how can CAS help you?

THANK YOU!

CAS at home…

• Ask your teen about CAS! Celebrate their endeavors!
• Encourage them to set aside a specific time each week for CAS reflections, and check in gently
• Creativity (C): Embark on a DIY project together, let them cook for the family, ask them about their artwork
• Activity (A): Regularly exercise or engage in self-care activities with them, run a 5K together, go to their games
• Service (S): Connect them with a sick or elderly neighbor so they can rake leaves or plow snow, volunteer together at a food bank

Some more ideas…

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• Let us know of any opportunities that might be CAS
• events, internships, groups, volunteer opportunities
• at your workplace, in your community, or with an organization you support

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• Serve as a “mentor” to a student in an individual pursuit
• painting, building a computer, fixing up a car, learning a new sport, making jewelry, etc.
• your own teen or someone else!

CAS Coordinator:

Megan Briggs Magnant

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mbriggsmagnant@sturgischarterschool.org

https://www.sturgischarterschool.com/cas/

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Please don’t hesitate to reach out!