25 Chemistry IA Topic Ideas

The IB Chemistry IA is an individual investigation designed to assess your practical and investigative skills. It's a crucial component of your final IB Chemistry grade, requiring you to formulate a research question, design an experiment, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions based on your findings.

A strong Chemistry IA topic typically involves measuring how changing one variable affects another, using easily alterable variables (like temperature, concentration, or surface area) and measurable dependent variables (like pH, gas produced, or reaction rate). It should be something you're genuinely interested in, feasible to conduct with available resources, and allow for sufficient depth of analysis and evaluation.

The topics in this guide are meant as inspiration to spark your own ideas. While many have led to high scores for past students, it's crucial to adapt them, make them your own, and discuss your chosen topic with your subject teacher before proceeding. Personalizing the topic and ensuring it fits your school's resources and ethical guidelines is key to a successful IA.

Common mistakes include choosing a topic that is too broad or too narrow, not having a clear and focused research question, insufficient data collection, poor data analysis, and failing to critically evaluate limitations or suggest improvements. Ensuring academic honesty, proper referencing, and adhering to safety protocols are also vital for a high-scoring IA.

Lanterna's expert Chemistry tutors, many of whom scored 40+ in the IB or have examiner experience, can guide you through every stage of your IA. We help you refine your research question, design a robust methodology, analyze your data effectively, and structure your report to meet all IB criteria, ensuring you aim for the highest possible marks while maintaining academic integrity.

Our Chemistry tutors are highly qualified, including IB graduates who achieved top scores (40+ points), experienced teachers with over a decade of teaching at leading international schools, and even former IB examiners. They possess deep subject knowledge and a thorough understanding of the IB assessment criteria for the Chemistry IA and exams, providing unparalleled support.

The Lanterna IB consultation is a free, no-pressure 20-30 minute session with one of our expert IB Student Success Experts. It's designed to help you or your child gain clarity on your IB journey, whether you're struggling with a specific subject like Chemistry IA, planning university applications, or managing overall IB workload. It's a chance to get personalised advice and a clear plan forward.

Yes, the Lanterna IB consultation is absolutely free, with no obligation to book tutoring. Our goal is to provide valuable guidance and a clear, personalised plan for your immediate next steps. We believe in empowering students and parents with expert insights. If tutoring is a good fit, we can discuss it, but there's no pressure or hidden fees.

Lanterna's Student Success Experts are experienced professionals with deep knowledge of the IB program. They can help you identify your specific challenges with the Chemistry IA, clarify your goals, and outline a strategic approach. They can also advise on how Lanterna's tutors can provide tailored support, from topic selection and experimental design to data analysis and final report review, to maximise your IA score.

After your free 20-30 minute consultation, you'll walk away with a clear, personalised plan outlining priorities and next steps for your IB journey, including specific advice for your Chemistry IA. There's no obligation to continue with tutoring, but if you decide you'd like further support, your Student Success Expert can help you find the perfect tutor from our global network to provide ongoing assistance.