On Tuesday, February 28th, the grade 11 and 12 IB students of Oakridge celebrated Science Day by setting up a G4 exhibition about cosmetics. Its aim was to expose the different aspects of cosmetics – cosmetic surgery, liposuction, traditional cosmetics, dental cosmetics, tattoos, and hair – by displaying charts, experiments, and demonstrations.
The G4 (Group 4) project is a collaborative interdisciplinary activity which laces an emphasis on the processes involved in scientific investigation, rather than the products of such an investigation. This project encouraged the students to appreciate the environmental, social and ethical implications of science
While the primary purpose of the exhibition was to learn more about the biological, chemical, physical, and environmental aspects of cosmetics, many of the students went beyond this initial requirement by getting creative with their topics.
The entire IBDP team was divided into groups concerning sub-topics underneath the over-arching theme of cosmetics. The groups worked in collaboration to cover aspects like cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic surgery and cosmetics over the ages. Some students researched about skin grafting and burn victims while others dealt with hair care and personal hygiene products such as deodorants. The result was varied as well as informative.
The cosmetic surgery group not only put up charts and showed videos about implants and Botox, but also had a human mannequin, named Cynthia, displayed to indicate the regions where implants are commonly used.
The group concerned with tattoos brought templates and paints to give visitors temporary tattoos. They also showed the mechanics behind the Tattoo gun, the bio-chemical implications of inks and dyes on skin and how removing a tattoo can be very painful.
The liposuction group set up a hospital bed – complete with curtains and white sheets – to show the environment in which a liposuction is typically performed. They screened a video module of liposuction surgery besides sharing a very well researched presentation on types of liposuctions.
The group working on Hair transplants put up an informative simulation of the use of different methods of hair implants and also shared the durability of such processes.
The station put up on shampoos and hair
was a crowd puller as they had experimentally shown how organic shampoos were much better over inorganic ones. There experiments on differential germination of seeds when treated with different types of shampoos and surface tension
complimented their presentation.
The station “Beauty over the ages”
was converted into a traditional spa and the group spoke on the use of henna, aromatherapy, etc. They also displayed some shampoos and beauty products they had made in the labs using simple organic substances.
The group working on perfumes had actually taken in trip to a local perfume factory
during their research and shared the information with the visitors who came to their station. Another group worked on the diffusion property of different deodorants by using data-logger to experimentally establish their findings.
The station on Cosmetic Dentistry
had all the major components like braces – types, the different types of wires used for braces, veneers, crowns, etc on display and the presentation of cosmetic processes to bring out the aesthetic value of dentition was very informative.
Throughout the G4 project, the students of the IB curriculum learned many things.
They learned how to work as a team, communicate ideas, and motivate others. We learned how to present information in a thoughtful, creative manner.
Most importantly, we learned how to create links between the different fields of science, and, in a broader field, in the different fields of education. The G4 cosmetics exhibition was a learning experience for everyone.
All the students involved worked like a well-oiled machine and carried out everything very smoothly. This project has given a huge opportunity for team-building and the students have taken advantage of each moment. Development of personal skills was quite evident as the students expressed responsibility and commitment every step of the way.
Shruti Koti (IBDP XII) and Palashika Bhat (IBDP XI)
