Research congress gives students an opportunity to showcase their extended essays to the Vice President of the Philippines
Our DP students with Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo
When IB Diploma Programme (DP) students complete their extended essay (EE), they are required to have a final concluding interview, known as a viva voce. But Xavier School in the Philippines decided to do something a little different. They hosted a research congress where students could present their extended essays to an invited audience, which included Vice President of the Philippines Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo.
An IB student presenting his extended essay.
IB students presented their essays during breakout sessions, which were grouped according to themes: sustainability (EEs in business management, economics), innovations (EEs in the sciences and mathematics) and representations (EEs in English, Chinese, Filipino and world studies).
Students from other IB World Schools also participated, including St Jude Catholic School and Immaculate Conception Academy. There were also plenary sessions, where VP Robredo gave a keynote speech on the value of research in nation building.
DP students found the event empowering, and it gave them the opportunity to meet key influencers in society. Joshua Gatchalian, who won the best research presentation at the research congress, says the experience was “helpful in giving me the opportunity to present my research and develop a sense of ownership”.
Regina Regala, DP English A Language and Literature Teacher and EE Supervisor, says:
“Having the viva voce completed in front of an audience emphasizes students’ accountability for the quality of the work they present. Moreover, the openness of the research congress setting allowed students an opportunity to step up as indirect spokespeople of what the DP can offer.”
Vice President of the Philippines Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo reads IB student extended essays.
According to Ryan Bulosan, IB DP Coordinator and EE Coordinator, the school plans to hold the research congress again next year, and will invite plenary speakers from outside the country to promote international mindedness.
See a video of the research congress
This article is part of a series of stories from IB World magazine that bring to life the wonderful initiatives undertaken by IB students and educators from around the globe. Follow these stories on Twitter @IBorganization #IBcommunitystories. Share your great stories and experiences: email editor@ibo.org