DP Creativity, Activity & Service

What [exactly] is CAS?

A core component of the Diploma Programme, CAS (Creativity, Activity, & Service) aims to add a counterbalance to the rigors of academics.  The purpose of these hours is to encourage a means to learn through experience. Students are required to complete 18 months of service throughout the course of their Diploma studies. 

The five CAS stages are as follows.

1.  Investigation: Students identify their interests, skills and talents to be used in considering opportunities for CAS experiences, as well as areas for personal growth and development. Students investigate what they want to do and determine the purpose for their CAS experience. In the case of service, students identify a need they want to address.

2.  Preparation: Students clarify roles and responsibilities, develop a plan of actions to be taken, identify specified resources and timelines, and acquire any skills as needed to engage in the CAS experience.

3.  Action: Students implement their idea or plan. This often requires decision-making and problem-solving. Students may work individually, with partners, or in groups.

4.  Reflection: Students describe what happened, express feelings, generate ideas, and raise questions. Reflection can occur at any time during CAS to further understanding, to assist with revising plans, to  learn from the experience, and to make explicit connections between their growth, accomplishments, and the learning outcomes for personal awareness. Reflection may lead to new action.

5.  Demonstration: Students make explicit what and how they learned and what they have accomplished, for example, by sharing their CAS experience through their CAS portfolio or with others in an informal or formal manner. Through demonstration and communication, students solidify their understanding and evoke response from others. 

CAS questions & FAQs:

1. What does C.A.S. stand for?

• CAS stands for Creativity, Activity, & Service. The intent is compliment the academic rigor of Diploma Programme courses and encourage students to give back to their communities, be active, and use their brains in ways they might be unaccustomed to using them

2. How many hours do I have to log?

• Erase the phrase "150 hours of CAS" from your vocabulary. CAS is no longer a set number of hours to accumulate. When the guide changed in 2017, the philosophy of hour counting changed as well. Students are encouraged to log CAS experiences (not hours) weekly or bi-weekly. When the log is periodically checked, we're looking for CAS activity a minimum of every two weeks.

3. When will I learn about CAS (what it is, how it counts, etc.)?

• Junior  Anticipated Diploma candidates attend CAS camp just prior to the start of the school year. Topics covered include what is and is not considered a CAS experience,  keeping the CAS log, planning for the CAS project, and other topics. All of your CAS questions are answered at that meeting.

4. What else do I need for CAS?

• Students will keep a CAS log (in the Google drive) that is periodically submitted. Each submission will lead to a conversation regarding the student's CAS experiences and allow for reflection on what is and isn't rewarding. Additionally, candidates should accumulate evidence to go with CAS experiences. All evidence is house electronically as well.

5. Does everyone taking an IB class have to complete a CAS log?

• While service to your community is never a bad idea, the only students required to complete CAS requirements are Full Diploma Candidates.

Need more CAS information? Head to the CAS@CPP website!