A hands-on learning experience

Group 4 Project is a mandatory component of the IB Diploma Programme that encourages science students to understand the interconnected nature of scientific disciplines and the overarching nature of the scientific method.

Driven by curiosity, the students of Apeejay School International successfully conducted the Group 4 Project to perform a comparative study of the scenic Yamuna Biodiversity Park and the school premises.

Students were divided into three groups to fulfill the requirements of all the Group 4 subjects including Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Systems and Societies. The groups independently prepared their research questions, conducted experiments in the school laboratories, and presented their investigation to the school community. The exhibition was made open for both primary and middle school students to witness the entire process of investigation. 

The first group comparatively investigated the chemical purity of water, water-holding capacity, and electrical conductivity of the soil,  which conveys the measure of the amount of salt. The chemical purity of water by cross-checking for the presence or the absence of sulfate, chloride, and ammonium ions conveyed the nature of water.

Finally, the students explored the water-holding capacity of soil to determine the amount of water that should be added to the soil for supplemental irrigation to avoid over-irrigation.

Another group studied the moisture content of the soil, electrical conductivity, and the chemical purity of water. By investigating the electrical conductivity of water, students learned about the concentration of dissolved substances present in water. Students noted the chemical purity of water by finding out its pH. Lastly, they analysed the moisture content of the soil to learn about its role in the development of weather patterns and the production of precipitation.

The last group deliberated the difference in the biodiversity of plant species, hardness of water,  wind speed and  flow of water. The quantitative difference in the biodiversity of plant species forms the identity of the ecosystem. Hardness of water indicates the quality of water and wind speed is an important indicator of weather patterns.

In conclusion, students discovered that the water quality of Yamuna Biodiversity Park is better than the tap water of our school. The water-holding capacity and the moisture content of the soil barely differ because both ecosystems are artificial. The electrical conductivity of soil and water found in Yamuna Biodiversity Park is more due to the presence of ions.

Through the G4 Project, we were able to upscale our social, communication and research skills as the project gave us the opportunity to understand the Biodiversity Park, formulate the research questions, ownership to do the investigation and present the results in the best way.