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A CAS Experience:
The guidelines for what does make a CAS experience are:
It must be one, or more, of creativity, activity or service.
You should be interested in it and expect to enjoy it.
It should provide an opportunity for growth and allow you to develop the IB learner profile.
Normally you would be able to address a CAS learning outcome.
However, there are several things a CAS experience CAN NOT be. These include:
It can not be paid work. For example, if you get paid to be a lifeguard, then it is not CAS.
It can not be part of your official IB Diploma Programme study. For example, if you are undertaking Dance as a Group 6 subject, a performance you are using for the IA is not CAS. Likewise, if you are involved in Model United Nations (MUN) as part of your Global Politics IA, then it does not count.
Of course, if a theatre performance or MUN is not part of your IB Diploma Programme assessment, then it can count as CAS. You may also come across something in class which gives you a great idea to develop a CAS experience or project. For example, you might learn about pollution and undertake water testing in Biology, and this may motivate you to start a clean up project at your local beach, river or stream.
The following diagram provided by John Cannings in IB Review may help you figure out whether an experience can or can not be used for CAS.
Many of your CAS experiences may be things that you already do. Perhaps you play for a team, act in school plays, help out somewhere or are in the scouting movement. All these experiences could meet the criteria above for CAS. However, CAS also gives you the opportunity to undertake something new that you’ve always dreamed of doing. It doesn’t have to be extreme, like rock climbing, but it could be. It could be learning to sew, helping someone or promoting a cause you care about.
Some examples of this are:
Initiating a project to visit or help elderly people in your neighbourhood to alleviate loneliness.
Starting a reading club at a local primary school.
Teaching a language class to immigrants.
Promoting water saving methods in your local area.
Some CAS experiences are a series of events, like training with and being in a team, rehearsing for and performing a play, or being in a club. Some are one-off events like helping at an event or undertaking a hike.
If you are continuing an activity that you already undertake you are encouraged use the CAS stages and learning outcomes to look for opportunities for growth and development, as CAS is about improving and extending, not just repeating.
What is a CAS Project?
The primary purpose of the CAS project is to ensure participation in sustained collaboration. Through this level of engagement students may discover the benefits of teamwork and of achievements realized through an exchange of ideas and abilities. A CAS project challenges students to show initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop skills such as those of cooperation, problem-solving and decision-making.
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.
In your CAS project, you will work with others, towards a stated goal, in one or more of creativity, activity and service.
A CAS Project must:
• Be collaborative and can address any single strand of CAS, or combine two or all three strands
• Last at least one month from planning to completion
• Follow the 5 CAS stages with evidence of each ( Investigation, Preparation, Action, Reflection, Demonstration)
Include a risk assessment
It is recommended that students start thinking about and planning their CAS Project straight after the October half-term of year 11.
For your CAS project you need;
a written description like your other CAS experiences linking to the LO's chosen
Proof of planning for the 5 stages of CAS. You need to fill it in as a group on managebac and send me a request for approval.
Written reflection on YOUR role midway through - did it live up to your expectations? What went well? What could have been improved etc (so I know you had a distinct part to play)
Reflections on your chosen learning outcomes - these should be made on managebac during the process, some can show evidence in the form of relevant photos (e.g. worked collaboratively). However, written reflections are needed too.
Any additional evidence in the form of photos, emails, messages, posters, media etc.
Some examples of CAS Projects:
Creativity: A student group plans, designs and creates a mural.
Activity: Students organise and participate in a sports team including training sessions and matches against other teams.
Creativity and activity: Students make costumes and help choreograph the school Fashion Show
Service and activity: Students plan and participate in the planting and maintenance of a garden with members of the local community.
Service and creativity: Students identify that refugee children at a local school need backpacks and school supplies and subsequently collect and distribute relevant donations.
Creativity, activity, and service: Students rehearse and perform a dance production for a community retirement home.
Creativity and activity: Write, direct, perform or design a play for a selected audience.
Service and activity: Plan and participate in the planting and maintenance of a garden with members of the local community.
More ideas for CAS projects:
https://lanterna.com/blog/50-cas-project-ideas/
https://helloblen.com/blog/3212-amazingly-fun-filled-cas-project-ideas-to-choose-from
Questions: Contact Ms. Stacy on TEAMS or at stacy.ohrtbillingslea@gess.edu.sg
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