There are five stages of all Service Learning projects within The Friends' School:
Investigation
Preparation
Action
Reflection
Demonstration
The activity should be researched by the students. They should identify an area of community need and/or interest, their interests, skills and talents, have a say in what the activity is, and how it contributes to society. The activity must treat all people as equals. It is to be of benefit to the students as well to the community. The students are active partners in the activity, not just simply the people trying to fix problems.
Students should design a service plan appropriate to the identified need, clarify roles and responsibilities, resource requirements, and develop a plan of action, with timelines, to successfully implement the plan. Any community partners are likely to be consulted. Students should also acquire and develop the knowledge and skills needed for the experience.
Students implement their idea or plan through direct service, indirect service, advocacy, or research or a combination of these types of service. Students may work individually, with partners or a group. The activity requires decision-making and problem-solving. It should, where possible, have a hands on component that involves face-to-face communication with people in the community.
Students examine their thoughts, feelings and actions applied to the context of self, community and the world. With service learning, reflection often occurs with greater frequency as students identify significant moments generated by new situations and insights.
The activity must incorporate student reflection into the process of student learning. The students should be given ample time to reflect on the activity, explicitly identify what and how they have learned, and how they have benefitted from the process. They should then share this with others in an informal or formal manner. Through demonstration and communication, students solidify their understanding and evoke response from others.
Reference: Creativity, Activity, Service Guide (CAS Handbook) 2017, (2015) International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, International Baccalaureate Organization Geneva, Switzerland.