Welcome to CAS at Weldon!
You have chosen to delve into the world of CAS as part of your IB adventure. It has the potential be one of the most rewarding personal journeys you will take if you choose to embrace it for what it is...a chance to take a look at the world around you and develop a better understanding of what it has to offer you, and what you have to offer in return. You many even find out a little bit about yourself along the way. Buckle up, hold on and enjoy the ride; this adventure will be what you make it, so make it a good one!
NOTE: We would like to acknowledge Jonathan Hamilton from the Canadian International School of Hong Kong whose website has been the template used to create Weldon's. Thank you Mr. Hamilton!
OVERVIEW
Creativity, activity, service (CAS) is a core requirement of the IB curriculum. Student must successfully complete the CAS programme to receive their IB Diploma.
Students must:
Creativity, activity, service (CAS) should involve:
The most meaningful CAS experience comes from spending time with others to build relationships and develop the self-worth of both server and served. In the design and construction of your CAS schedules you are reminded of the equal importance of all three areas: CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE. There must be a balance between the three. When well carried out, your CAS experience should build your self-esteem, self-confidence and self-reliance.
What CAS is not
CAS is not a points-scoring, hour-counting exercise. It should be an interesting variety of activities that you find intrinsically worthwhile and rewarding, and which is mutually beneficial to you and to your community. Generally, CAS is not taking place when you are in a passive rather than an active role. There should be interaction. If you are passive, nothing of real value, either for you or for other people, results from what you are doing, and no real reflection is possible.
Examples of activities that do not qualify for CAS
Creativity, activity, service (CAS) is a core requirement of the IB curriculum. Student must successfully complete the CAS programme to receive their IB Diploma.
Students must:
- demonstrate they have met each of the seven learning outcomes
- commit to a balance of creativity, activity, and service activities on a weekly basis for a minimum of 18 months
- commit to at least one project that spans a significant period of time and involves teamwork and planning
Creativity, activity, service (CAS) should involve:
- real purposeful CAS experiences, with significant outcomes
- personal challenge – tasks must extend the student and be achievable in scope
- thoughtful consideration such as planning, reviewing progress, and frequent reporting
- reflection on outcomes and personal learning
The most meaningful CAS experience comes from spending time with others to build relationships and develop the self-worth of both server and served. In the design and construction of your CAS schedules you are reminded of the equal importance of all three areas: CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE. There must be a balance between the three. When well carried out, your CAS experience should build your self-esteem, self-confidence and self-reliance.
What CAS is not
CAS is not a points-scoring, hour-counting exercise. It should be an interesting variety of activities that you find intrinsically worthwhile and rewarding, and which is mutually beneficial to you and to your community. Generally, CAS is not taking place when you are in a passive rather than an active role. There should be interaction. If you are passive, nothing of real value, either for you or for other people, results from what you are doing, and no real reflection is possible.
Examples of activities that do not qualify for CAS
- any class, activity or project that is already part of the Diploma Programme.
- an activity for personal reward, financial or benefit-in-kind or work experience that only benefits the student.
- a passive pursuit, e.g. museum, theatre, exhibition, concert visits.
- activities that cause division amongst different groups in the community (religious, political or otherwise)
- an experience where there is no responsible adult on site to evaluate your performance.
Learning Outcomes
The most important aspect of the CAS programme, other than the activities themselves, are the learning outcomes. To complete the CAS requirement, at the end of the programme, students must provide evidence that all seven learning outcomes have been met. Some may be demonstrated many times, in a variety of activities, but completion requires only that evidence is provided to demonstrate that all seven outcomes are met.
To demonstrate that these learning outcomes have successfully been met, will need to present the evidence they have collected over the 18 month period. Evidence collected should be in a variety of forms such as photos, video, pod casts or other suitable medium. All evidence needs to provide authentic documentation of the student completing the activity. (i.e. pictures and videos need to have the student in them!) Students will be presenting this evidence through a digital portfolio of their learning, visual presentation for an audience, personal portfolio or a method of their choosing to be approved by CAS advisors. Specific details will be discussed closer to the completion of the CAS programme in grade 12.
The most important aspect of the CAS programme, other than the activities themselves, are the learning outcomes. To complete the CAS requirement, at the end of the programme, students must provide evidence that all seven learning outcomes have been met. Some may be demonstrated many times, in a variety of activities, but completion requires only that evidence is provided to demonstrate that all seven outcomes are met.
To demonstrate that these learning outcomes have successfully been met, will need to present the evidence they have collected over the 18 month period. Evidence collected should be in a variety of forms such as photos, video, pod casts or other suitable medium. All evidence needs to provide authentic documentation of the student completing the activity. (i.e. pictures and videos need to have the student in them!) Students will be presenting this evidence through a digital portfolio of their learning, visual presentation for an audience, personal portfolio or a method of their choosing to be approved by CAS advisors. Specific details will be discussed closer to the completion of the CAS programme in grade 12.