CAS Experiences

CAS experiences

Over the course of their CAS program, students must engage in three CAS experiences per semester, for a total of 9 CAS experiences. 

Each semester, students should create:

• • • 1 Creativity experience

    • 1 Activity experience

    • 1 Service experience

What is a good CAS experience?

A good CAS experience must:

• • • Allow students to express their creativity or learn a new skill (Creativity)

    • Improve the student health (Activity)

    • Benefit others (Service)

Note that a CAS experience can have several strands (e.g. Creativity and Service)

What are the 7 learning outcomes?

Each CAS experience must have 1 or 2 learning outcomes.

Every learning outcomes must be demonstrated over the CAS program.

The learning outcomes are:

1. 1. 1. Identify own strengths and areas for growth 

      2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

      3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

      4. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

      5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

      6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

      7. Recognize & consider the ethics of choices and actions

 EXAMPLES AND IDEAS

CREATIVITY EXPERIENCES

Wide range of arts and creative thinking

• Dance, music, choir, painting, drawing, photography

• Design a website, fashion, creative writing, blogging

• New skill: cooking, coding class (online or in person)

• Private lessons, after school activity, club, self-taught (YouTube tutorials, how-to books)

ACTIVITY EXPERIENCES

Physical fitness part of a healthy lifestyle

• Sports team: in or out of school

• Fitness & self defense class

• Private lessons: tennis, horseback riding

• Outdoor activities: Hiking, skiing, kayaking

• Individual training: jogging, weights, yoga, swimming (requires extra evidence, such as a tracking app)

SERVICE EXPERIENCES

Collaborative engagement with the community in response to an authentic need

• School volunteering: tutoring, working with elementary 

• Community volunteering: refugee center, homeless shelter, elderly home, animal shelter, environmental clean up

• Raise awareness & advocate: research & communicate

• Fundraising: must be tied to a specific organization

• International service: volunteering outside of Austria, for ex. yearly trip to support Romanian orphanages

What is NOT an appropriate CAS experience?

• Any class activity which is part of your Diploma course

• Any paid work or internship with a business or other “for-profit” organization

Check with the CAS Coordinator if you're not sure.

Better CAS alternatives that count

• Instead of babysitting - service that helps someone in need, ex. dog walking for an elderly neighbor would count

• Instead of occasionally helping a friend with homework, make a regular & organized tutoring schedule with a goal

• Instead of paid work or an internship with a business, contact a non-profit organization that fits your interests