03 Dec A Guide to IB ESS as a Trans-disciplinary Subject
The IB DP Environmental systems and societies (IB ESS) is one of a kind subject when it comes to the International Baccalaureate Programme. There are Group 3 subjects (Individuals and societies) such as Geography and History and Group 4 subjects (Sciences) such as Chemistry and Biology. However, IB ESS is officially in both groups. IB ESS is one out of two IP DP trans-disciplinary subjects. Therefore it makes room for both perspectives to be present within just one subject.
IB ESS represents a real bridge between humanities and sciences. Maybe that is the answer why it is so exciting for students. It is something new for them, as before they have never experienced a similar subject at school. Also, it is challenging sometimes as students need to thing in several different ways sometimes to find a solution for a global issue.
Understanding IB ESS
Modern subjects such as environmental system and societies doesnt have the limitations as traditional ones. Instead of keeping the traditional subjects isolated, ESS blends them in order to answer some global environmental problems.
While studying ESS don’t expect just to memorize what you have heard. You will need to apply your knowledge in a way to answer graph related questions, calculations and case studies. You will study population trends and decisions, environmental value systems and political answers. You will participate in ethical debates. ESS course will recognize the global environmental issues as human and scientific problems.
Examples:
Viewing the climate change as a chemical pollution only is not correct. It also is a political and ethical issue.
The issue of deforestation is not only viewed as an ecological issue, but the issue of infigenous people.
The loss of biodiversity is not only the issue of species loss. It is the issue of agriculture and biofuels.
ESS teaches students that environmental issues are not just that, but contain many other pressures.
Key terms in IB ESS
Since IB ESS is a trans-disciplinary subject that combines both sciences and humanities. It has a broad vocabulary and many key terms. Also, it is essential for ESS students to be familiar with them as without the knowledge of the specific key terms they won’t be able to follow the course.
IB ESS syllabus contains topics such as ecology, biodiversity to politics and ethics. This is why there are so many key terms. These various topics require completelly different vocabulary and ESS students need to follow it.
ESS key terms are not only meant to be learned by heart- they deffine the way our students think. They need to understand them and be able to explain them.
Some of the examples:
Understanding sustainability meaning long- term analysis of the state of the ecosystem.
Comprehend the EVS (environmental value system) of a certain population makes us aware of their actions.
Appreciating ecosystem services make the students want to conserve the ecosystem.
The ESS terminology becomes very important in every step of the ESS student. It helps them in understanding of different topics, writing essays and answering they ESS IA.
The world as we know it isn’t devided between subjects
In a real world subjects don’t exist. The issues we are facing today such as climate change and biodiversity loss can not be solved if we only use one perspective. These subjects are often multy layered and require special attention and care. ESS is a great preparation for students for the real world situations and problems making them think synthetically.
IB ESS and system thinking
IB ESS has a great advantage- making the students think as a system (as a whole). The system contains many different parts that work together and make a functunal whole. ESS students are trained during the course to view the environment as a system of abiotic and biotic factors. These factors work together and make an ecosystem- the perfect natural system. Students learn in ESS that solutions need to be long – term, sustainable and to see patterns.
ESS – future study, jobs and careers
Since ESS is a multidisciplinary subject it offers students many academic pathways:
Geography, Environmental Science, Climate change, Urban planing, Sustainability and Public policy.
ESS is different from other IB subjects
For studying ESS you don’t need to be a science person. It requires basic math for calculations. Also, you will be able to easily identify graph patterns or map places. It studies topics such as climate change, pollution and politics. These are very modern environmental topics that help you understand the world where we live.
IB ESS gives students knowledge and skills to think critically, act and propose solutions for environmental issues. It gives them the opportunity to shape our collective future when it comes to ecological and environmental issues.
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