Student-pitched investigations and projects form the main part of your learning experience. At different points through the year, you'll be encouraged to develop and "pitch" your ideas for investigations to your peers and the relevant Learning Guide(s). You'll also be able to join investigations and projects* that interest you.

• You're be expected to take part in 2-3 investigations per 4 week project cycle and complete a minimum of 2 investigations per subject before the end of the year.

Pitch week - September 2019

FAQs for pitched investigations

Why hasn't my idea be chosen?

There might be a number of reasons for this.

1. The idea you pitched may need more development before it can be taken on. Speak to the Learning Guide about this as it could be re-pitched at a later time.
2. There might simply have been a number of good pitches for that subject area. We limit the number of investigations per subject area so Learning Guides can give you their full focus and support, and sometimes they will need to make a choice based on what can be feasibly carried out in the next block. But don't despair! See the question below about what to do next.

Please do speak to the Learning Guides for feedback about your pitch. We're here to help develop your ideas, and we've never encountered an idea that can't go somewhere!

What happens if my idea wasn’t chosen?

You have a number of options.

1. If your pitch was of a good standard and not chosen simply because there were a number of good pitches, it might be scheduled for the next four week block or later in the year.
2. It might be that your pitch needs more development. The Learning Guide can advise you on this and you can re-pitch it later in the year.
3. You may wish to take on your idea as a personal investigation (one of your personal goals). You will need to do this independently using the learning routines from the Google Site. You will still need to take part in 2-3 pitched investigations, but if the outcome of your personal investigation is substantial and appropriate, it can be assessed using the MYP criteria and count towards your overall achievement levels. Speak to Mr Quinton if you’d like to do this.

I pitched my idea for multiple subject areas, but it was only chosen for one. What happens now?

This doesn’t stop the overall project from happening, it just means that MYP assessment will only happen for one subject area. e.g. if your project was to represent scientific problems through an art exhibition, but it was only chosen for science, you’d still produce the art work and exhibit them but would only be assessed on the artistic techniques employed. You might also choose to take on the science aspect as an independent, personal investigation, with the possibility of the outcome forming part of your science assessment (see above).

An option says it is "complementary" to one in another subject. Do I have to choose both?

No. The options are set-up so that you can take one without needing the other. However, the two options re-enforce each other and will allow you to focus your time.

Should I choose 2 or 3 pitched investigations?

This depends on what other initiatives you are involved in. Factors to consider include:

• Are you carrying out any personal investigations? If you are, you might want to consider taking only two options.
• If you are in Y10 or Y11, how many science knowledge units are you taking?
• Are any options spread over 8 weeks? Speak to the Learning Guide to understand why it is. Some investigations might take longer for logistical reasons (e.g. design) but some might require more to be covered, in which case it might make sense to take fewer options.
• What does your extra-curricular schedule look like? If you have a lot of sports tournaments or other commitments, you might want to temporarily reduce your workload.

REMEMBER! Taking more options is not always the best way to challenge yourself. Using your time to go into greater depth in an investigation often leads to better learning than when you overstretch yourself.

Why is there a “2-3 minimum” number of investigations?

It is an MYP requirement to cover each strand of the four subject criteria twice in a year. The number of strands covered will depend on the investigation. This requirement can usually be satisfied through completion of 2 investigations, but in some cases a third will be needed. However, you do not need to worry about this: the Learning Guide team will monitor it and let you know if you are likely to need a third investigation in a subject area.

Can I choose more than 3 investigations?

No. We want to make sure you have enough time to complete these investigations to the highest possible standard and you should remember that you will have other commitments over the four week period: math, personal goals and subjects outside Pathfinder. This will be reviewed after the first project cycle. It might also be possible to repeat an investigation later in the year, especially if it is popular.

Would you recommend that I choose investigations in any particular subject areas?

At this stage, you can simply choose what appeals to you most. Just remember that over the course of the year, you’ll need to do a minimum of 2-3 investigations in each subject area. As the year goes on, the choices of investigations will therefore become more limited, so you shouldn’t ignore your least favourite subject areas.