Annis Coulton (Y12): Communication development in IB Physics 

Throughout year 12, a key focus of the IBDP Physics curriculum has been presentation skills and oracy. Every term we have had a lesson where each student delivers a presentation to the class, on a topic related to our studies but a specific subject of their choice, targeting specific public speaking skills. For me, these have been some of the most enjoyable and rewarding lessons, as we are able to share the science that interests us, in a supportive and constructive environment.

These presentations have been a great opportunity to research an area of science that interests me that I otherwise might not have the incentive to look into further, and the practice of explaining our findings gives a deeper understanding of the subject. For example, in term 2 we had to present on a technology that uses fields, with a focus on pace and tone of voice, which led to useful advice and feedback that has enabled me to grow in confidence in speaking. For this presentation, I revisited some learning I had done previously outside of school on NMR machines, a technique similar to MRI used in university and professional research to analyse and identify chemical structures, which we went on to study in IB chemistry late in the year. This opportunity for interdisciplinary study is an important part of these lessons for me as my primary interest is in chemistry, and was built upon in our term 3 presentations on history of science. For this I researched the Radium Girls and the discovery of the dangers of nuclear radiation, which led me to read an academic journal paper for the first time–a skill I have since used for my extended essay, which I was inspired to do within history of science as well. 

These presentations also prepare us for university applications and study by encouraging scientific interest outside the classroom. An example of this was the presentation I delivered in term 5 on blood type and kidney transplants, that I repeated for my Oxbridge preparation group. This presentation had the added challenge of speaking in the Green Room to practise our projection skills. Overall these lessons have pushed me outside my comfort zone, for example when I had to learn to use and present on a computer simulation, and challenged me as my classmates introduced me to wide range of fascinating topics I hadn’t encountered previously, from the impact of air resistance in aeroplane flights to the mechanism of the MagLev trains.

In conclusion, presentation and communication skills are vital for all students and no less in science, enhancing our understanding and preparing us for the future. As a subject prefect, I have been lucky to have the opportunity to develop this further in running intervention sessions for the younger year groups, reinforcing the importance of learning from our peers and developing my knowledge as I practise explaining it in new ways.

Annis Coulton (Y12)
Science Prefect