Don't just say "I like basketball"
The IB’s personal engagement criterion isn’t just about proving you care – it’s your chance to turn a generic math exercise into a unique intellectual journey. While many students tack on a brief “I like basketball” intro, top-scoring IAs weave personal passion into every calculation, graph, and conclusion. Here’s how to do it right.
Personal Passion + Math Concept + Global Relevance
- Music IA: “My violin string tension analysis (personal passion) → Wave equation modeling (math concept) → Preserving traditional instrument craftsmanship (global relevance).”
- Sports IA: “My basketball trajectory calculations (personal passion) → Projectile motion with air resistance (math concept) → Optimizing accessibility for wheelchair athletes (global relevance).”
Tips for Deeper Personal Passion
- Weak Example: “I chose basketball stats because I play the sport.” This lacks depth and fails to show genuine engagement.
- Strong Example: “After missing 12 free throws in last season’s championship game, I became obsessed with quantifying shot consistency. My dataset includes 500 shots from my practice logs, annotated with fatigue levels and court positions.” This shows a personal connection, specific motivation, and a clear link to your analysis.
The “Double Reflection” Technique
- First Reflection: Explain how your interest shaped your IA’s direction. Example: “My love for violin led me to explore string tension because I wanted to understand why my notes sounded off during performances.”
- Second Reflection: Discuss how the math changed your understanding of your hobby. Example: “Using the wave equation, I realized string tension affects pitch more than I thought, inspiring me to adjust my tuning habits.”
The “Raw Data Authenticity” Technique
Showcase your journey by including handwritten raw data in your IA.
Example: append a scanned page from your lab notebook with entries like, “Feb 3: Rain disrupted outdoor measurements—switched to Monte Carlo simulation.” This adds a personal touch, demonstrating your problem-solving process and making your work feel genuine.
The “Real-World Connection” Technique
Engage with the broader community by emailing a relevant organization to share your results or seek their opinion.Example: if your IA analyzes water bottle designs and plastic usage, email an environmental group to discuss your findings on sustainability. This shows initiative, connects your math to real-world impact, and can even provide feedback to enrich your reflection. Don't forget to include the email communication in the appendix!
Personal engagement turns your IA into a story that resonates with examiners. By starting with your obsessions and using advanced tactics like double reflection and annotated data, you’ll not only meet the IB’s criteria but also create a project that’s uniquely yours—one that stands out and scores high.