Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is an essential element of the "IB Core" that students working toward the IB Diploma must complete. 

As a result of your CAS experience as a whole, including your reflections and final self-reflection, there should be evidence that you complete the following seven learning objectives:

1. Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth: Students are able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, of which some are more developed than others.

2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process: A new challenge may be an unfamiliar experience or an extension of an existing one. The newly acquired or developed skills may be shown through experiences that the student has not previously undertaken or through increased expertise in an established area.

3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience: Students can articulate the stages from conceiving an idea to executing a plan for a CAS experience or series of CAS experiences. This may be accomplished in collaboration with other participants. Students may show their knowledge and awareness by building on a previous experience, or by launching a new idea or process.

4. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences: Students demonstrate regular involvement and active engagement in CAS.

5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively : Students are able to identify, demonstrate and critically discuss the benefits and challenges of collaboration gained through CAS experiences.

6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance: Students are able to identify and demonstrate their understanding of global issues, make responsible decisions, and take appropriate action in response to the issue either locally, nationally or internationally.

7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions: Students show awareness of the consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences.

All seven outcomes must be present for you to complete the CAS requirement. Some may be demonstrated many times, in a variety of activities, but completion requires only that there is some evidence for every outcome.

CAS is not about "hour-counting" or creating the most impressive list of volunteer activities: it is the experience and reflection upon the experiences that counts.

A Final Word

The beauty of the CAS program is that it is an individual experience designed by you, for you. Yes, CAS is about reaching out to your local, national, and global community, but it is also about reflecting upon your activities and actions. It is about becoming an active member of life and learning who you are. We hope you enjoy the journey and we are here to help and advise you through your CAS adventure!

Questions about CAS should be directed to Shannon Pettipiece, Harding's CAS Coordinator.

shannon.pettipiece@spps.org