Congratulations International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Candidates
“The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous academic challenge for intellectually curious students,” said North Shore High School Counselor Mr. Tim Shea. “Successful completion requires persistence, hard work, diligence, critical thought, creativity, a willingness to push yourself, and no small degree of time management.”
Congratulations go out to the following 8 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Candidates including Ning An, Yazir Carrillo, Annika Kaelin, Ginevra Levin,
Harrison Levin, Sophia Martin, Bella Martocci, and Mia Perciballi.
To earn the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma, students must do the following: Complete 10 -12 IB courses across six subject areas and pass six affiliated IB Exams, write an extended essay of independent research on a topic chosen by the student and guided by a faculty mentor, complete “Creativity, Activity, and Service” activities (CAS), and participate in a critical thinking course called Theory of Knowledge. See below for more detail on each criterion:
- Theory of Knowledge (ToK) is a course that challenges students to question the basis of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases, and to develop a personal mode of thought based on analysis of evidence expressed in rational argument. ToK seeks to develop a coherent approach to learning which transcends and unifies all academic subjects and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives.
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is the part of the IB Diploma Program that requires students to engage in and reflect on multiple experiences alongside their academic studies. The CAS requirement takes the importance of life outside of the classroom seriously and as a counterbalance to a demanding school program.
- The Extended Essay (EE) requires IB Diploma candidates to undertake original research and compose an approximately 4,000-word paper. This task offers students the opportunity to investigate a topic of their interest, work with a mentor from our faculty and acquaint themselves with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at the university level.
The Extended Essay topics researched by our IB Diploma Programme students inlcuded:
Ning An: An Examination Of The Growth Of Bacteria In Humidifier Mist Lids Over Five Weeks And The Effectiveness Of A 20% Vinegar Solution In Eliminating Bacteria
Yazir Carrillo: Prime Numbers: The Guardians of Cybersecurity in the Digital Age. How are Prime Numbers Use in Ciphers? And Why?
Annika Kaelin: An Investigation into US Policy during the Space Race following the Success of the Soviet Union. To What Extent Did the Public Reaction to Soviet Space Technology Drive American Policy from 1957-1959?
Ginevra Levin: Using “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman as the
foundation of classic Gothic literature, does Dragonwyck by Anya Seton, fit the criteria of classic Gothic literature?
Harrison Levin: Machine Learning and an Analysis of the Global Hunger Index - Can machine learning help find relationships between variables that will lead to a possible solution to global hunger?
Sophia Martin: Determining the Strength of the Gravitational Force Between the Binary-Star System Sirius and Sirius B
Bella Martocci, The Pursuit of Knowledge: An Evaluation of American Education Reform Throughout the 1950s
Mia Perciballi: The Relation Between the MAOA Gene and Human Behavior
How is the MAOA gene related to the expression of behavior in laboratory-induced studies?
Congratulations again to Ning, Yazir, Annika, Ginevra, Harrison, Sophia, Bella, and Mia. Your dedication, creativity, and willingness to expand your horizons and work really hard were critical to your success in this extremely rigorous IB Diploma Programme.
Go Vikings Go!
Article written with assistance by Mr. Tim Shea. Photos by Shelly Newman