Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is intended to be a student-directed learning journey to foster international-mindedness and develop self-awareness and a sense of identity. It consists of purposeful engagement in Experiences and Projects in Creativity, Activity, and Service that are challenging, intentional and enjoyable. CAS serves to support the academic aspect of the IB program but also serves as a balance to the academic demands.

CAS Strands

Creativity is defined as exploring and extending ideas, leading to an original or interpretive product or performance.

Music, theatre, film, design technology, visual arts, dance, fashion, and other experiences that involve creative thinking fall under Creativity (for example, joining a choir or engaging with fashion design).

Activity is defined as physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle.

Involvement in a sport or progressing towards a fitness goal (for example, with football, yoga, dance, aerobics classes, biking, or hiking) can be considered Activity.

Service is defined as collaborative and reciprocal community engagement in response to an authentic need.

By investigating and identifying a community need, then determining a plan of action that respects the rights, dignity, and autonomy of all involved (for example, reading to the aged or advocating for a cause), you are performing service.

CAS experiences may cover more than one strand; for example, planning sports events for children with disabilities may involve both Service and Activity. Some CAS experiences may involve all three strands; for example, choreographing a performance that promotes the work of a non-profit organization involves Creativity, Activity, and Service.

CAS Stages

By using the CAS Stages and engaging fully in the reflective and demonstrative process during CAS Experiences and Projects students are expected to achieve and articulate the 7 CAS Learning Outcomes through active reflection and evidence.

● Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth. ● Demonstrate that you have undertaken challenges and developed new skills in the process. ● Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience. ● Show commitment to and perseverance in your CAS experiences. ● Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively. ● Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance. ● Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.

Student responsibilities

CAS Students are expected to:

 approach CAS with a proactive attitude  develop a clear understanding of CAS expectations and the purpose of CAS  explore personal values, attitudes and attributes with reference to the IB learner profile and the IB mission statement  determine personal goals  discuss plans for CAS experiences with the tutor and/or CAS coordinator  understand and apply the CAS stages where appropriate  take part in a variety of experiences, some of which are self-initiated, and at least one CAS project  become more aware of personal interests, skills and talents and observe how these evolve throughout the CAS program  ensure a suitable balance between creativity, activity and service in their CAS program  maintain a CAS portfolio and keep records of CAS experiences including evidence of achievement of the seven CAS learning outcomes  understand the reflection process and identify suitable opportunities to reflect on CAS experiences  demonstrate accomplishments within their CAS program  communicate with their tutor/CAS coordinator in formal and informal meetings

Note: Experiences completed as part of the requirements of the DP subjects, including theory of knowledge and the extended essay, cannot be counted as part of the CAS portfolio.

From: https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/server2/rest/app/tsm.xql?doc=d_0_casxx_tsm_1504_2_e&part=5& chapter=1