Chemistry

To help you transition seamlessly into the rigours of the IB Diploma or Career-related Programme, this subject page houses your essential preparatory resources. Beyond the required Summer Task, designed to prime your analytical and subject-specific skills, you will find curated Recommended Reading and Recommended Viewing lists. These selections are handpicked by your future teachers to broaden your perspective, ignite your curiosity, and provide the cultural and academic context necessary for high-level inquiry. Engaging with these materials now will not only ease the step up from Grade 10 but will also give you a distinct advantage as you begin your two-year journey. 

Scientific Reading & Writing

Understanding scientific writing is a critical part of the course. The ability to think critically  is the difference between a passing grade of 3, and a high achieving grade 5 and above. The activities below are designed to support you in developing your scientific reading. Whilst we recognise the use of AI to support your work, we actively discourage its use in this specific activity as it will reduce or even remove the actual substance of the task. You will not develop the necessary skills in this instance if AI is utilised to summarise the journal and construct your product.

Learning Objectives: We are learning to read for deep understanding, use appropriate sources of information and communicate new ideas and concepts clearly to a specific audience.

Task 1: Read and review one of the following articles.

These articles are designed for upper MYP students. The format, language and depth are pitched to be accessible, readable and easily understood by students aged 13-15. This format will be used in the second main activity.

Task 2: Select one article of interest from one of the following sites.

Science Daily . National Geographic Science  . Royal Society Chemistry 

 Complete the following activities:

• Read the article and make notes/mind map/though organizer of the information you read. This must be hand written on paper. 

• Find 3 other sources that offer additional information or an alternative perspective on the topic of the article. Add the information from these sources to your notes/mind map/thought organizer.

• Create a 4 pager, similar in format to the articles in Task 1. This should simplify and summaries the main concept for students in Grade 8-9. Include your bibliography at the end, this can be a 5th page, in MLA format. Include date last accessed. Each item in the Bibliography should be directly hyperlinked to the webpages you have used. 

• Prepare a presentation on your topic to share with the whole class.

• You may use a maximum of 3 slides

• Each slide can contain a maximum of 20 words

• There are no restrictions on images

• You may have cue cards for your presentation but you may not have a pre-prepared speech

• Your presentation must last at least 6 minutes

• There will be 6 minutes of questionig from the teacher and class at the end of the presentation linked to the article. You will need to be able to answer questions on the article and topic in some scientific depth. 

Your article will be submitted by Friday 4th September, with presentations taking place the week following. 

DP Chemistry

Chemistry Careers

It is recommended that you are up to date on current scientific developments in the real life context. Regularly reading the websites above in the Summer Activity section, would offer a good overview and grounding. 

Mandatory Video

• Starting IB Chemistry? An Examiner explains what really matters 

• Important links 

This video provides an excellent introduction to IB Diploma Chemistry and explains how the course is organized around the two core concepts of Structure and Reactivity. Understanding these concepts from the beginning will help you see the connections between different topics, rather than treating them as separate units to memorize. The video also offers valuable study strategies and guidance on how to approach the course successfully, helping you build strong foundations for both classroom learning and assessments. 

Recommended Videos

• As Close as You Can Get to Chemistry Magic! 

 Why Watch: Take a few minutes to watch this video and discover chemistry beyond the textbook. Through exciting demonstrations and real-life applications, you will see how chemical principles explain the world around us. The video is a great reminder that chemistry is not just about learning content—it is about exploring, questioning, and understanding the science behind everyday phenomena. 

• Do not be afraid of organic chemistry.

Why Watch: Watch this video to discover how chemistry connects to everything around us, from life-saving medicines to the products we use every day. It will help you appreciate chemistry as a creative and powerful science that helps us understand and improve the world. 

• What triggers Chemical Reactions 

Why Watch: This video explains two of the most important concepts in chemistry—enthalpy and entropy—using simple, engaging real-life examples. Understanding these ideas will help you explain why chemical reactions happen, predict whether reactions are likely to occur, and make connections across many topics in IB Chemistry. It is a great way to build a deeper understanding of the science behind energy changes and the natural tendency of systems to become more disordered. 

• The Beauty of Green Chemistry 

Why Watch: This video explores how chemistry can be used to create a more sustainable future. It introduces the concept of Green Chemistry and shows how scientists and product designers can make smarter choices at the molecular level to reduce waste, minimize environmental impact, and develop safer, more sustainable products. By watching this video, you will gain a deeper appreciation of the role chemistry plays in solving real-world challenges and driving innovation across industries.