Group 4 Project

By Sonakshi Bhatnagar

The ‘Group 4’ project is a project which makes use of our chosen sciences, placing us in groups to work alongside each other and our respective subject areas. This year, each subject was clubbed separately. We were to design an energy efficient, self sustaining greenhouse. I worked alongside the D&T group, where we were responsible for the primary output of the entire project— the making of the greenhouse. This project proved to be a great form of exposure, as we got to communicate and work with people of various other disciplines. It showed us how everything bleeds into one another.  

It tested our time-management skills, for we worked independent of any supervision. Our idea was to use our own research framework, as well as, other subjects’ to formulate a design for the prospective greenhouse. We started off, by looking at suitable materials for the greenhouse in terms of its contextual placement. After analysing a variety of options which included, but weren’t limited to— Glass, Plastic, PVC, etc, we broke down the research into the further subcategories of the aforementioned materials. Other groups performed the necessary complementary research and experiments, as we collated the garnered data. When this extensive research process saw its end, we decided upon the following: Aluminium for the structural component, MDF for the base (which would in reality be concrete, when executed), and PVC plastic as the covering layer. 

The next step, was to get hands down with the actual building process. We laid out our roles, dividing them amongst our team as we started working. Aluminium was something many of us were using, and working with for the first time, but with the help of supervisory teacher we managed to get conceal that bump. We cut, and measured the pieces so that they’d fit accurately, as to where the incisions were made. Once that was done, we laid out, and then screwed down the respected piece; which required us to first indent a bump, drill a whole, and then click the screw into place. Once the basic structure was up, we painted the wooden base, for it to resonate to the likes of grass. The last, but not final step, was inserting the PVC according to its required placements. 

Overall, this proved to be an exciting experience where we integrated ourselves with the likes of other subjects. As an IB student, it is crucial to have the skills this tested, and helped us develop further. Along the likes of acquiring skills such as time management, we worked in a way which was independent, yet collective. Further strengthening our bond with our peers, and broadening the horizon of knowledge we held.