Grade 10

The power of CAS

The Expert View

Find out why you should value CAS in Grade 11 and 12

Read this to get the complete picture…

Introduction

CAS is an integral part of the IB diploma program, in order to be awarded a diploma a student must successfully complete all of the CAS requirements. 

So what is CAS? Let’s take a look.

Overview

Just in case you’re wondering, CAS is – Creativity. Activity. Service.

• 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. 

In order to demonstrate these concepts, students are required to undertake a CAS project. 

• Show initiative
• Demonstrate perseverance
• Develop skills such as collaboration, problem solving and decision making.

While there are differences in organisational emphasis from one school to another, the basic demands of the IB CAS program must always be met. 

Typically, students’ experiences involve the following stages.
• Investigation, preparation and action.
• Reflection on significant experiences to inform problem-solving and choices.
• Demonstration allowing for sharing of what has taken place. 

A CAS experience is a specific event in which the student engages with one or more of the three CAS strands. It can be a single event or an extended series of events.  A CAS project is an experience extending over a longer period of time.

The person who will evaluate your participation in the activity will be asked to comment on your performance with reference to the following criteria: 

• Evidence of your initiative, planning, and organization.
• Attendance, punctuality, and time spent on the activity.
• The amount of effort and commitment made by you to the activity.
• Your personal achievement and development, taking into account your skills and attitude at the start of the activity…how you grew. 

Now we know what CAS is, what will probably interest you most is how to go about doing it, after all you are required to successfully complete CAS in order to receive the IB diploma.

Let’s take a look at some ideas, but before we get into brainstorming a list of ideas, you need to keep in mind the following, because after all what you choose to do needs to fit the requirements set out by the IB. 

Action ideas

Things you can do that will make a big difference.

Some critical questions that need to be asked

Sometimes the questions are more important than the answers.

The CAS project

This can address any single strand of CAS, or combine two or all three strands of creativity, activity and service.

Sample projects 

• Creativity: A student group plans, designs and creates a mural.
  • Activity: Students organize and participate in a sports team  including training sessions and matches against other teams.
  • Service: Students set up and conduct tutoring for people in need. 
  
• Service and activity: Students plan and participate in the planting and maintenance of a garden with members of the local community.
  • Creativity, activity and service: Students rehearse and perform a dance production for a community retirement home. 
• Creativity and Service: Teaching a language to recently arrived foreign children. Exchanging artistic or musical skills with other students in a local school. 
• Action and Service: Working as a volunteer at a children’s camp.  

Tips & Tricks

Some insider tips that can really make the difference.

Wigsbury Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the important questions