CAS @SFS
Creativity, activity, service (CAS) is one of the three essential elements that every student must complete as part of the Diploma Programme (DP).
Studied throughout the Diploma Programme, CAS involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies.
It is not formally assessed. However, students reflect on their CAS experiences as part of the DP, and provide evidence of achieving the seven learning outcomes for CAS.
How is CAS structured?
The three strands of CAS, which are often interwoven with particular activities, are characterized as follows:
Creativity – arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking.
Activity – physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the DP.
Service – an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student. The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.
In order to demonstrate these concepts, students are required to undertake a CAS project. The project challenges students to:
show initiative
demonstrate perseverance
develop skills such as collaboration, problem-solving and decision-making.
Successful completion of CAS is a requirement for the award of the IB Diploma.
What is the significance of CAS?
CAS enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience.
It provides opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from their work.
At the same time, CAS is an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of the DP.
IB guidance on CAS
A good CAS programme should be both challenging and enjoyable – a personal journey of self-discovery.
Each student has a different starting point, and therefore different goals and needs, but for many their CAS activities include experiences that are profound and life-changing.
CAS is a component of the DP core.
CAS STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES and EXPECTATIONS
Thoroughly familiarize yourself with your school’s CAS handbook and timelines.
Meet with your CAS coordinator or adviser according to the timeline, at least three times over the duration of your CAS programme. Be sure to come prepared. (3 formal, documented digital log interviews)
Base your choices on your interests, skills, talents and areas for growth to stay motivated. Challenge yourself!
Balance your experiences between creativity, activity and service. (18-month continuous experience)
Initiate or engage in at least one CAS project in collaboration with others that extends over at least one month. (1 CAS project)
Use the CAS stages as much as possible when considering, planning and undertaking your CAS experiences. Be sure to apply these to service and to the CAS project.
Ask questions along the way when you need assistance or clarification.
Participate in meaningful reflection as a way to capture your experiences and summarize your evidence linked to the learning outcomes. (Reflection Before-during-after)
Enjoy CAS! That is most important—to participate in experiences that assist your personal growth and offer you a world of possibilities.
Exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance
A CAS EXPERIENCE MUST:
Fit within one or more of the CAS strands (Creativity, Activity, Service)
Be based on 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 DP course requirements
One of the rules of CAS is you can't 'double-dip' and use anything that is part of your academic programme also for CAS.
However, you can be inspired by something you do in class that makes you want to go further and make a change in the world or to apply that knowledge for real.
If you are passionate about an academic subject and want to study it further, say at university, completing a CAS project or experience connected to it will prove this.
CAS. Creativity, Activity & Service - Creativity, activity and service. (2022, April). Retrieved September 22, 2022, from https://guide.fariaedu.com/cas/
Iborganization. “Creativity, Activity, Service.” International Baccalaureate®, https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/creativity-activity-and-service/.