CAS
WHAT IS CAS?
CAS allows students to explore their interests and express their passions through practical application—participating in physical activity, working creatively, and completing community service.
The IB focuses on students be well-rounded citizens by expecting weekly physical activity, at least monthly creative pursuits, and an ongoing dedication to service over the course of approximately 18 months with a reasonable balance between the three strands. Included in this time is a required CAS project of at least one month in duration. Using the five CAS stages, this project should be collaborative and allow for students to show initiative, perseverance, and problem-solving skills in a meaningful way.
Students are expected to maintain a portfolio of their CAS experiences which must be formally presented near the end of their senior year. Their CAS portfolio must provides evidence of CAS experiences, reflections upon some of those experiences, and show achievement in the seven CAS learning outcomes.
CREATIVITY
The creativity component of CAS is defined as exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance. Creativity can include creating art, music, or film. It can be cooking, computer programming, digital design, photography, or writing. Note that this should not be as part of a class for which the student is earning a grade. If a student is taking a music class as part of his or her regular school day, he or she would need to extend this experience by composing or performing in another arena.
ACTIVITY
Activity is anything physically active with the goal of balancing the mental rigor of the IB Diploma with the well-being of the body. The key is that it contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Activity encompasses a wide range of physical pursuits such as organized sports, hiking, surfing, horseback riding, dance, martial arts, or yoga. For students already participating in a physical activity, they will need to reflect upon it by setting goals, charting times/mileage etc., or some other means of enriching the experience beyond just participation.
SERVICE
Service involves helping the community in some way. This will help students understand they can have a meaningful contribution to society. The service strand of CAS provides opportunities for students to collaborate with others and educate themselves on the needs of their communities. Service can include volunteering within the community directly, indirect help such as designing a poster or website for a non-profit, advocacy for a cause in which they believe, or research on a topic such as homelessness or unemployment within their city that can be presented to an appropriate group such as the school board or chamber of commerce.
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