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If you’re an IB Diploma Programme student, chances are you’ve heard of the ''Group 4 Project''. In this guide, we’ll break it down step-by-step, giving you everything you need to understand it fully and tackle it with confidence.
IB Group 4 Project Explained
The Group 4 Project is an interdisciplinary, collaborative sciences activity in the IB Diploma Programme where students from two or more Group 4 subjects (biology, chemistry, physics, design technology, computer science, SEHS and/or ESS) work together on a focused, real-world scientific problem.
The project promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, combining methods from different sciences while considering environmental, social, and ethical impacts. It develops teamwork, project management, communication, presentation and reflection skills.
How it works
Although exact formats vary between schools, most Group 4 Projects follow this structure:
Theme Selection
- The school sets a broad theme, such as Sustainability, Water, Food Security, Energy, or Climate Change.
- Each group brainstorms sub-topics or research questions within that theme that they will then explore.
- Alternatively, students can come up with potential research questions, with the teacher selecting the final one for the students.
Planning Phase
- Students decide what they want to investigate and how each science discipline will contribute. In this phase students set specific objectives, design their research, methodology, and collect necessary tools and materials.
- Communication and collaboration is key. You should divide tasks and responsibilities according. Your physics teammate may for instance design an apparatus while the biology student handles the data on living organisms.
Action Phase
- This is when the planned experiments are conducted, data is collected, and analysed in order to reach a conclusion.
- Collaboration between different science disciplines is essential so that each subject’s expertise contributes directly to the project’s outcomes.
Presentation
- Groups present their findings to peers and teachers – usually as a poster or slideshow.
- The focus is on explaining how the interplay of various sciences allowed to reach a well-grounded conclusion.
- Students also reflect on the entire process.
Duration
The IB mandates a minimum of 10 hours for the Group 4 Project, though some schools allocate slightly more to allow for preparation and unforeseen delays.
Timeline
The exact schedule for the Group 4 Project varies from school to school. Some schools dedicate only a few consecutive days to complete the entire process, while others spread it out over several weeks to allow for more complex planning and data collection. Regardless of format, the total time is generally at least 10 hours. A typical breakdown looks like this:
- Theme Selection (1 hour): Students are introduced to the chosen theme (e.g., sustainability, water, climate change) and placed into interdisciplinary groups. The focus is on understanding the scope of the theme and the expectations for the project.
- Planning (2–3 hours): Groups develop specific research questions, form hypotheses, outline the experimental method, prepare materials lists, and carry out safety checks. Roles for each discipline are clearly defined at this stage.
- Action (4–6 hours): Conducting the investigation, collecting and recording data, and resolving any problems that arise. Collaboration between disciplines is crucial to integrate findings and ensure each subject contributes meaningfully.
- Presentation (2–3 hours): Groups analyse their results, prepare final presentations (poster, slideshow, or live demonstration), and deliver them to peers and teachers. This stage also includes reflection on the process, interdisciplinary connections, and possible improvements.
When is the Project completed?
The Group 4 Project is usually completed at the end of DP1 or the start of DP2. It’s done then because earlier in DP1, students lack the necessary knowledge and skills in their science subjects to fully engage. Waiting until later in DP2 isn’t practical either, as students are busy with Internal Assessments, the Extended Essay, TOK, and university applications. Scheduling the project around this time balances student readiness with workload demands.
Theme and topic examples
Below you'll find a few examples of themes and topics that you could explore.
Water and ecosystem health
- Water quality and its effects on ecosystems
- Thermal pollution impact on freshwater ecosystems
Pollution and environmental impact
- Effect of pollution on plant growth and soil health
- Biodegradable plastics decomposition
Energy and radiation
- Biofuel production and efficiency
- Effects of UV radiation on microorganisms
For detailed breakdowns, plans for each topic, and student roles, click here.
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
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