IB Diploma Guide - The International School Of Penang

Additional Higher Level topics
• Energy
• Structures
• Mechanical design
• Advanced manufacturing techniques
• Sustainable development
The group 4 project (duration 1 – 2 weeks)
The group 4 project aims to provide students with the opportunity to investigate and
research a design technology product, system or environment of particular interest
to them. The topic/issue chosen may act as a springboard for the selection of their
extended essay.
Optional topics – Both Standard course and Higher level student study:
• CAD/CAM (Computer aided design and manufacture)
Assessment
Assessment is carried out by a combination of external examinations, conducted at
the end of the course and internal assessment carried out at the school and moderated
by the IBO.
Additional information
Students who have followed the GCSE Design Technology course will definitely have
an advantage. However, coursework at GCSE level accounts for 60% of the overall
grade. The coursework component for the IB course accounts for 36% of the overall
grade. Therefore the emphasis during this course will be on expanding knowledge
and applying that knowledge in a written format rather than a graphic format. The
focus will be on design awareness, the role and responsibilities of designers, material,
energy and manufacturing processes.
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