CAS Component

What is CAS?

CAS is performing, building, cleaning, helping, learning, growing,
Exploring, leading, following, collaborating, reflecting
... being a global citizen while helping the person next door.

The emphasis of CAS (creativity, action, service) is on experiential learning (the process of making meaning from direct experience), designed to involve students in new roles. CAS is to be completed by IB Diploma Candidates (IBDC).  Students are expected to be involved in the program during an 18 month period starting the summer after finishing their sophomore year and continuing through to the spring semester of their senior year.

Although students should begin working on their CAS projects the summer after sophomore year, no one is allowed to finish the program early. Failure to demonstrate an 18 month commitment could result in the failure of this component of the IB Diploma.

Creativity is defined asarts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking.
Action isphysical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic
work elsewhere in the Diploma Program.
Service relates toany unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student.
(The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.)

The most meaningful CAS experience comes from spending time with others to
build relationships and develop self-worth of both server and served. The emphasis
of CAS is on learning by doing real tasks that have real consequences and then
reflecting on these experiences over time.

CAS should involve:
• real, purposeful activities, with significant outcomes
• personal challenge-tasks must extend the student and be achievable in scope
• thoughtful consideration, such as planning, reviewing progress, reporting
• reflection on outcomes and personal learning.

Of any activity, it is appropriate to ask the following questions:
• What did I plan to do?
• What did I do?
• What were the outcomes, for me, the team I was working with, and others?