What This Document Is
This document presents an example of an International Baccalaureate (IB) Internal Assessment (IA) in a mathematical applications context, specifically a biology laboratory experiment. It details a study investigating the impact of smoke water on the germination and subsequent growth of *Eucalyptus pilularis* seeds, a native Australian plant. The IA follows a standard scientific investigation format, including background information, a research question, a prediction, a detailed method, and preliminary results.
Why This Document Matters
This example IA is valuable for students enrolled in Applications of Math (MAT 110) at Pennsylvania Western University, California, and more broadly, for any student undertaking a similar IB IA. It serves as a model for structuring a scientific investigation, formulating a testable research question, and presenting findings in a clear and concise manner. It’s particularly useful for understanding how mathematical concepts can be applied within a biological research context – for example, in analyzing germination rates or growth measurements. It’s typically used during the IA preparation phase, offering a benchmark for quality and scope.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document is an *example* IA, and should not be directly copied or submitted as one’s own work. It focuses on a specific biological system and may not be directly applicable to other research areas. It demonstrates one approach to data collection and analysis, but doesn’t cover all possible methodologies. Users will still need to develop their own research question, design their own experiment, and analyze their own data.
What This Document Provides
The full document includes: a detailed background section on bushfires and plant adaptations; a clearly stated research question and prediction; a comprehensive method section outlining the experimental procedure, including safety precautions; preliminary results from a seed viability test; a complete list of equipment used; and the initial steps for creating and applying the smoke water treatment.
This preview *does not* include the full results and analysis of the germination and growth data, nor does it contain a discussion of the findings or a conclusion. It also does not provide a complete list of references.
