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Correlation of International Baccalaureate (IB) Objectives

The International Baccalaureate program has a complete set of objectives for an IB Environmental Systems class. In the table below, we have correlated the topics and subtopics with the experiments that are contained in this book, Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry.

Vernier Experiment IB Environmental Systems Topic Outline Correlation
1 Seasons and Angle of Insolation A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
B.1Exploitation of Energy Resources
2 A Local Weather Study A.1.2Describe and evaluate methods for measuring at least three abiotic factors within an ecosystem.
3 Investigating Dissolved Oxygen 2.2.2Describe photosynthesis and respiration in terms of inputs, outputs, and energy transformations.
A.1.2Describe and evaluate methods for measuring at least three abiotic factors within an ecosystem.
D.2.2Define the term biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and explain how it is used to assess pollution levels in water.
D.3.1Outline the processes of eutrophication.
D.3.2Evaluate the impacts of eutrophication.
4 Water Quality A.1.2Describe and evaluate methods for measuring at least three abiotic factors within an ecosystem.
A.4.2Outline methods for assessing changes in abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem due to a specific human activity.
D.2.1Describe two direct methods of monitoring pollution.
D.3.2Evaluate the impacts of eutrophication.
5 Long Term Water Monitoring A.1.2Describe and evaluate methods for measuring at least three abiotic factors within an ecosystem.
A.4.2Outline methods for assessing changes in abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem due to a specific human activity.
6 Water Treatment A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
7 Investigating Salinity A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
8 Soil Temperature 3.8The Soil System
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
9 Soil Salinity 3.8The Soil System
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
10 Soil pH 3.8The Soil System
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
11 Soil Moisture 3.8The Soil System
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
12 Soil and Acid Precipitation 3.5Acid Deposition
3.8The Soil System
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
13 Managing Garden Soil Moisture 3.8The Soil System
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
14 Cell Respiration 2.2.2Describe photosynthesis and respiration in terms of inputs, outputs, and energy transformations.
15 Biodiversity in Ecosystems A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
C.1Biodiversity in Ecosystems
16 Biochemical Oxygen Demand A.1.2Describe and evaluate methods for measuring at least three abiotic factors within an ecosystem.
D.2.2Define the term biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and explain how it is used to assess pollution levels in water.
17 Water Cycle Column Investigation 3.5Acid Deposition
3.6The Hydrosphere
3.8The Soil System
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
18 Decomposition Column Investigations 2.2Function
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
19 Ecocolumn Investigations 2.2Function
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
20 Global Warming 3.4The Issue of Global Warming
21 UV Investigations 3.1Depletion of Stratospheric Ozone
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
22 Sunscreen Comparison 3.1Depletion of Stratospheric Ozone
A.1Measuring Physical Components of a System
23 Primary Productivity 2.2.2Describe photosynthesis and respiration in terms of inputs, outputs, and energy transformations.
2.2.4Define the terms gross productivity, net productivity, primary productivity, secondary productivity, gross primary productivity, and net primary productivity.
2.2.5Calculate the values of gross and net productivity from given data.
24 Modeling Population Growth 2.1Structure
2.2Function
2.3Changes
25 Insulation Study B.1Exploitation of Energy Resources
26 Fossil Fuel Energy B.1Exploitation of Energy Resources
27 Energy Conversions 1.1.3Describe how the first and second laws of thermodynamics are relevant to environmental systems.
B.1Exploitation of Energy Resources
28 Wind Energy B.1Exploitation of Energy Resources
29 Solar Energy: Photovoltaic Cells B.1Exploitation of Energy Resources
30 An Investigation of Passive Solar Heating B.1Exploitation of Energy Resources
31 The Effect of Acid Deposition on Aquatic Ecosystems 3.5.2Describe three possible effects of acid deposition on soil, water, and living organisms.
3.5.3Explain why the effect of acid deposition is regional rather than global.
32 Measuring Particulates D.2Detection and Monitoring of Pollution
33 Investigating Indoor Carbon Dioxide Concentrations 2.2.2Describe photosynthesis and respiration in terms of inputs, outputs, and energy transformations.
D.2Detection and Monitoring of Pollution
34 A Pollution Study A.1.2Describe and evaluate methods for measuring at least three abiotic factors within an ecosystem.
A.4.2Outline methods for assessing changes in abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem due to specific human activity.

The IB Diploma Program is an official program of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which authorizes schools to offer it. The material available here has been developed independently of the IBO and is not endorsed by it.