Project and Stages

CAS PROJECT

CAS Project is an obligatory part of CAS. It's different from the other experiences since it's an individual project with it's own process and goal. The CAS project is also documented on an individual word document that follows the 5 CAS stages which you can find on this site. Every member of the CAS project group will work on that same document and in addition to that, everyone will write their own reflections  based on their personal input on the project on their portfolios. 

A CAS project involves collaboration between a group of students or with members of the wider community. Students work as part of a team, with all members being contributors. A CAS project offers students the opportunity to be responsible for, or to initiate, a part of or the entire CAS project. Working collaboratively also provides opportunities for individual students to enhance and integrate their personal interests, skills and talents into the planning and implementation of CAS projects.

All CAS projects should use the CAS stages as a framework for implementation to ensure that all requirements are met. 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 specific 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.

A CAS project can address any single strand of CAS, or combine two or all three strands. The following examples are provided to help generate further ideas without limiting the scope and direction of a CAS project.

CAS PROJECT EXAMPLES

• Creativity project: A student group plans, designs and creates a mural. 

• Activity project: Students organize and participate in a sports team including training sessions and matches against other teams. 

• Service project: Students set up and conduct tutoring for people in need. 

• Creativity and activity project: Students choreograph a routine for their marching band. 

• Service and activity project: Students plan and participate in the planting and maintenance of a garden with members of the local community. 

• Service and creativity project: Students identify that children at a local school need backpacks and subsequently design and make the backpacks out of recycled materials. 

• Creativity, activity, and service project: Students rehearse and perform a dance production for a community retirement home.

All CAS projects are designed with a defined purpose and goals. Individual students identify one or more learning outcomes to further guide their role and responsibilities in the CAS project. Students will likely identify more outcomes, or modify expected outcomes during the CAS project and/or at its completion. 

A minimum of one month is recommended for a CAS project, from planning to completion. CAS projects of longer duration can provide even greater scope and opportunities for all participants and should be encouraged. Students should aim to undertake their CAS project locally and, if possible, engage in more than one CAS project over the duration of their CAS programme.