CAS: Creativity, Activity, Service

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is an essential component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. CAS requires students to set goals, participate in a range of experiences, and initiate and complete least one project during their IB years. These activities should be purposeful, challenging, thoughtful, and reflective.  Please view the slideshow below for an overview of CAS expectations at Skyline. 

A Quick Guide to CAS 

Skyline's CAS Coordinator is Ms. Morgan (see the home page for more information)

(Click here to access/download IB's official two-page CAS Overview)

The three strands of CAS:

• • • Creativity – Exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance 

    • Activity – Physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle 

    • Service – Collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need 

The seven CAS learning outcomes: 

Learning Outcome #1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth 

Learning Outcome #2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process 

Learning Outcome #3 – Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience 

Learning Outcome #4 – Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences 

Learning Outcome #5 – Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively 

Learning Outcome #6 – Demonstrate engagements with issues of global importance

Learning Outcome #7 – Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions 

Evidence and reflection: 

 Evidence must be provided for each CAS experience. Examples of evidence include: 

o Supervisor review 

o Photos 

o Certificates 

o Video/audio files 

  Reflection on your CAS experiences is a requirement. The following elements of reflection should help you get started: 

o Describe what happened: record memorable moments, obstacles, successes 

o Express feelings: connect emotions to experiences 

o Generate ideas: rethink choices and actions to increase awareness about self and situations 

o Ask questions: consider what can be discovered about people, processes or issues 

CAS requirements: 

 Engage in CAS experiences for 18 months 

 Engage in a variety of experiences that provide a balance of creativity, activity and service 

 Meet all seven learning outcomes at least once each as you record CAS experiences 

 Engage in at least one CAS Project: a planned creative, active, and/or service-oriented effort involving collaboration (teamwork) and a well-considered series of sequential CAS experiences (minimum of one month in duration) 

 Provide evidence of and reflection on CAS experiences in your online CAS Portfolio (your IB Team will help you set this up and give you guidance along the way) 

The ninth and tenth grade years are used as orientation and practice years. The creation of goals and in the documentation process will be practiced and solidified during these two years of the IB program.

The official CAS program will start in June prior to your junior year. To successfully complete all the components of CAS, students must meet the following requirements by the April of Senior year:

• • • • • Create 3-5 CAS Goals both junior and senior year. Each year's goals must include at least one goal corresponding to each of the CAS Strands (Creativity, Activity, Service).

        • Meet the seven IB learning outcomes (see above) through steps taken to achieve CAS Goals.

        • Document experiences at least once a week as evidence that you are working toward achieving your CAS Goals each year.

        • Through CAS and your classroom experiences, develop the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.

        • Connect your CAS goals and experiences to things you are learning inside and outside the classroom which meet the seven learning outcomes of CAS.

        • Complete a CAS Project that lasts at least 1 month and includes “stages of development” (planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating). The can be completed in collaboration with 2 or more students.

        • When planning CAS goals and subsequent CAS experiences, incorporate the five CAS stages-investigation, preparation, action, reflection and demonstration

        • Reflect. Reflection must be ever-present throughout CAS, and is required as part of your CAS documentation.

Enjoy and celebrate your contribution to your community and your personal growth!