Introduction

Along with Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) the Extended Essay (EE) forms part of the core requirement of the IB. In order to be awarded the Diploma all students must complete an Extended Essay in an IB approved subject of their choice. For most chemistry teachers looking at this page the IB approved subject will be chemistry but remember that your students can also choose to submit a World Studies extended essay which could involve chemistry.  World studies comes under the heading of interdisciplinary extended essays. ^[1]

This section of the website takes you through the whole process with many practical examples. It starts with an overview as to what an Extended Essay actually is and the aims and objectives behind it. It then looks at the responsibilities  of all concerned to enable you to get the necessary supportive mechanisms in place within your own school. The next section looks at the advice supervisors can give to their students to help them both in the research process and in the writing of the essay in chemistry. Finally the assessment of Extended Essays is covered fully. Each of the five assessment criteria is analysed fully with advice and examples of how to gain a high grade for your students.