CAS ExperiEnces

A CAS experience is a specific event in which the student engages with one or more of the three CAS strands.

CAS experience can be a single event or may be an extended series of events.

A series of planned CAS experiences are recommended for a more engaging CAS programme.

CAS experiences may incorporate one or more of the CAS strands. For example:

Going for a mountain hike could be a singular experience within the “Activity” strand.
A student plans a number of visits to a nursing home resulting in a series of CAS experiences within the “Service” strand.
A group of students plan and stage a basketball tournament for the local community, resulting in a series of CAS experiences involving the strands of “Activity” and “Service”.

Guidelines to CAS experiences

A CAS experience must:

fit within one or more of the CAS strands
be based on a personal interest, skill, talent or opportunity for growth
provide opportunities to develop the attributes of the IB learner profile
not be used or included in the student’s Diploma course requirements

What is not CAS?

CAS complements a challenging academic programme in a holistic way, providing opportunities for self-determination, collaboration, accomplishment and enjoyment. A meaningful CAS programme is a journey of discovery of self and others. Following are examples of inappropriate CAS experiences:

Any class activity or project which is part of student’s DP program
An activity for which student is personally rewarded financially
All duties performed within family
Fundraising with no clearly defined end in sight
A visit to say a museum or art exhibition etc.
Volunteering in any organization like elderly home with no knowledge of how it operates etc.
Activities that could cause division amongst different groups in community

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