The “Extended Essay”, (“EE” for short), is a 4000 word essay that students sitting for the IB Diploma exams must submit as part of the process.
First students must decide the subject, generally by choosing it the six subjects they take. However it is also possible to do an EE in a different subject. You then have to decide the specific topic. If you are doing your EE in a scientific subject, this would usually be an experiment, including a description of the materials used, a collection of data, an analysis of the results and drawing your conclusions.
A recent example of EE in physics is: “Estimation of the ratio between lead isotopes and bismuth in radon decay products with measurement and simulation of the decay curve of samples trapped in the cotton filters“, or in economics “To what extent has the system implemented at Gawad Kalinga’s Enchated Farm, which aims to eradicate poverty from the Phillippines’ poorest communities, resulted in an increase in local living standards?”.
On the other hand, in humanities, you can do your research on a topic that has drawn your interest oin the course of your studies, or on a subject that you find particularly exciting, for example “The role of the female figure in Chronicle of a Death Foretold” if you are interested in literature or, “Some factors that led to the rise of Mussolini” if history is your cup of tea. In their work students are supported by a teacher supervisor whose task is to advise and help the student in drafting the EE and then to correct it.
The Extended essay is then sent to the examining board of the International Baccalaureate, which is based in Geneva, where it is corrected and receives a score from 1 to 36. This score is of great importance as it contributes to determining the final grade of the IB diploma. But drafting the EE is also a way for students to understand what it means to do research, check their sources, build a bibliography and, in general, organize their time and work according to an important deadline for their own evaluation and cultural enrichment.
Antonella Panzardi, a 2018 graduate ay UWC Adriatic, has chosen an EE which conjugates her two greatest passions: chemistry and her homeland and its typical product the “Senise pepper”. Watch her interview on Italian TV (English subtitles available). Click here for the video.
