Conquering the EE: An IB Guide

To those who’ve just started off your IBDP journey, you’re in for one hell of a ride. Nonetheless, hats off to you for choosing an extremely unique program. While most of you reading this will have just finished orientation and sat through hours of boring briefings, the question you might have is, how do I go about writing a 4000-word long ‘mini-thesis’?

The IB requires all students to undertake a research project which demands somewhat of a college-level standard. They don’t expect a doctorate dissertation or undergraduate thesis, of course, but your final research project should strive towards achieving something along those lines.

It’s one of the key features of the IB program which is part of the highly notorious Mt. EETOKIA (Extended Essay Theory of Knowledge Internal Assessment). But hey, even though the EE is assessed and a prerequisite to pass for the IB, there’s still ways to “hack” it — and it all begins from ideation.

Based on my experience coming from a local school (SJI), I’ve seen two kinds of students: those that enjoy their individual research projects (EE/IAs), and those who are motivated by grades. In this article, I’m here to help those that are more lost in life just like I was in my high school days, so I’ll only address the latter.

Alright… so you want the best score. Truth is, all students want the best score. You desire for an A grade in the EE, and you just want to get it over and done with. I feel you. So, let’s pull off a very strategic method to get the best out of your EE.

1st Advice: Use your seniors as a resource helpline.

Serious, but I cannot emphasize how important it is to consult those that who’ve went through the IB. Not just anyone, but those that have went through the IB with you in the same school system.

Ask who are the best “EE mentors”, the best resources available in your school (some academic departments are more niche in certain subjects), and the highest “A” rate for EE. Your seniors will then give you bits and pieces of advice on their EE experiences and their journeys with their teachers. However, bear in mind to take their words with a pinch of salt, and assess the situation by yourself. Filter out what you should heed and throw, because eventually the decision of your EE is yours and not theirs. Every EE should be to an extent, each students’ unique piece of work

2nd Advice: Eliminate.

As you should know by now, you have six subjects, three HLs and three SLs.

If you are still unsure of what EE topic you should dive into, go through the process of elimination.

Hate math? Brush off Group 5 EEs.

Hate laboratory work? Brush off Science EEs.

The key is to find something that you are eventually okay with meddling in. Remember that you EE is going to be a journey, a very long one. So ask yourself what exactly can you squeeze out from a subject, and eventually create a mini-like research thesis.

Another strategy is to choose an EE subject because it has a great pool of mentor. Someone who is passionate about the subject, able to break down complex concepts, and provide direction on your research. For instance, I knew that the Chinese department in my school had a well-structured EE system. Thankfully, I got a great EE mentor who was willing to work with me till the end of the deadline.

3rd Advice: With a subject that you are okay with, it’s now time to find a topic.

The best ideas come from your daily experiences. What is it that you see, hear, touch, or smell on a daily basis? Something must pique your interest within that inner curiosity of yours. With a topic that you are interested in, search deeper into it by doing some Googling to formulate it into a research project.

However, bear in mind that these ideas should be feasible, not too complex, and just the right scope to work with.

If you are still really lost, head on to research on past EEs, find out their train of thought and what exactly inspired them, and tweak them with your own personal flavor to make it yours. Another method is to head down to the library, plough through some books, and you’ll definitely find something peculiar that will probe you to do some Googling. Make sure those books you read stay within the field of your EE subject of course.

4th Advice: Paint your EE narrative

I know this sounds stupid, because you’ve yet to read a bunch of credible sources or research material to even begin an EE outline. However, I advise people without direction to do so at the start. It helps to picture it in your head the desired end-product of your research.

It doesn’t have to be specific, but a broad category with the headers “Data Collection: Survey/Interview” or “Scientific Literature” will develop the skeletal backbone of your research. Furthermore, it tells you whether your topic is broad enough to develop into a research project, or too narrow that it’s insufficient to within four thousand words.

A rough guide could be like this:

Introduction — Personal Exploration, Rationale for <EE Question>

Analysis –

Data Collection — <Collection Method>

Conclusion — Point 1, 2, 3

Final Words

I know this is a lazy, shortcut guide for those who are uninterested in anything and need some inspiration in the EE. But trust me, once you get cranking and find a great idea, you’ll be willing to work your ass off for it. One thing about the IB is not really the depth of the content, but the ability to create ideas on your own, and deliver it into a piece for assessment. It’s like a work of art, and as some people hate to create art, the best way to gain ideas is to base your ideas off previous ones but add your own twist on it.

Ideas can be repeated, borrowed, but the conviction to add your own flair into that idea and give the examiner new perspective is up to you. Often, the best EEs I’ve seen not necessarily require the most interests from the student. Even if you aspire to be a doctor, you don’t need a Bio EE. And even if you want to become a linguist, you don’t’ need an EE in literature. More importantly, it’s about finding a topic strategically which you can work with to deliver the best score, in this case at least.

Lastly, I know I mentioned earlier that you don’t necessarily need to have great passion or a bright idea for your EE. But as you go about it, you’ll eventually find something about your EE you love. Because, hey, you put your heart and soul into a 4000 word thesis, how can you not be proud of your final work? The best way is to find a sweet spot between your “interest” and “strategy” in your EE.

For instance, what if I’m interested in the chemical make-up of avocados, but my school has a horrendous Chemistry department? While, think of other ways to explore the umbrella of avocados in other subjects. Maybe, how sustainable is the food production of avocados affected by the use of certain agricultural methods (Geography)?

You see, the IB is an interdisciplinary course, and sometimes the best way is to bounce your ideas off previous one. It’s not necessary to go into a particular idea just because you are extremely passionate about it. Sometimes, it’s also about being smart and strategic, while circumventing your idea into a polished work of art.