Full Guide to IB CAS + 25 Easy Ideas for Your IB CAS Projects
What is CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) in the IB Diploma?
CAS in IB is all about getting you out of your comfort zone and into the world. It's about trying new things, helping others, and growing as a person. You'll get creative, active, and give back through service, building skills like teamwork and problem-solving along the way. It's not just another school requirement; it's a chance to discover who you are and what you care about, making your IB journey more than just grades and exams.
How does CAS affect my IB score?
While CAS is a key part of the IB curriculum, it doesn't directly affect your IB score. That doesn't mean it shouldn't matter to you though! CAS helps students receive a more well-rounded education, helping them experience personal growth and balance their academics with meaningful extracurricular activities, making your IB experience more meaningful and even more useful beyond school!
How many CAS hours do IB students need to complete to graduate?
By the end of the two-year IB Diploma students will need to have completed a total of 150 hours of CAS total: at least 50 hours in each of the three categories.
How is CAS graded and evaluated?
In CAS, you're not graded with traditional scores, but you need to show you've met the seven key learning outcomes through various assignments like projects, reflections, and portfolios. These assignments require you to plan, act, observe, and reflect on your experiences, demonstrating personal growth, engagement with the community, and how you've pushed your boundaries. Your CAS portfolio is your evidence, showcasing your journey, the challenges you've tackled, and the skills you've developed along the way.
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What are the Seven Key Learning Outcomes in CAS?
The seven key learning outcomes for CAS in the IB Diploma Program are:
Identifying Strengths and Areas for Growth.
Undertaking Challenges
Planning and Initiating Activities
Working Collaboratively with Others
Showing Perseverance and Commitment
Engaging with Issues of Global Importance
Considering Ethical Implications
What is the CAS Portfolio?
The CAS portfolio is a collection of evidence documenting a student's experiences and reflections throughout their Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) program in the IB Diploma. Students must demonstrate how they have achieved the seven key learning outcomes of CAS through various activities. This includes planning, executing, and reflecting on their CAS experiences. The portfolio should show a balanced variety of experiences in creativity, activity, and service, including a long-term project that spans at least a month.
CAS Project Ideas
CAS Creativity Ideas:
Creativity activities in CAS should be enjoyable ways to express yourself, explore what you love, and unwind through some creative activities. Whether you're musical, or artistic, like cooking or making things, there are dozens of ways to fulfill your creativity requirements and have fun while you're at it. Here are a few examples:
Art Exhibition: If you like to draw or paint, or illustrate, etc. you can organize a local art exhibition showcasing your artwork or photography, developing curatorial and artistic skills.
Creative Writing Workshop: Are you a passionate writer? Host a workshop. Or write and share short stories or poetry, enhancing literary talents and storytelling abilities.
Music Composition: Compose original music or songs, fostering musical creativity and technical skills in composition and arrangement.
Theater Production: Produce and perform a play, which cultivates acting, directing, and set design skills.
Film Making: Create a short film or documentary, learning about scripting, shooting, and editing.
Dance Choreography: Choreograph and perform a dance piece, encouraging expression and understanding of movement and rhythm.
Fashion Design Project: Design and create a clothing line or fashion pieces, exploring fashion design and textile skills.
Culinary Arts Event: Organize a culinary event or cooking class, where students can express their creativity in cooking and learn about different cuisines.
You don’t have to always put on a show, organize an event, or present a formal project. Even if you’re just hanging out with friends, practicing music as a band, log your hours and get them signed off. Those definitely count! But be honest about this. Even if teachers are lenient and don’t double check all your hours, please do yourself a favor and complete all of the hours. 150 hours over two years is really not that much, and you’ll thank yourself later in life.
It’s also important to note that there are activities that combine two CAS categories. An example of one that counts as either creativity or service is knitting ‘care squares’, an initiative in which each student knits an individual square that is then knit together with the rest to form a large blanket. These blankets are then sent to people in need. Activities like this count for EITHER creativity OR service, NOT BOTH. This can be a helpful choice if you’re running low on hours in a particular category.
CAS Activities Ideas:
Action is all about promoting a healthy lifestyle through physical activity. Enjoy sports? You’re in luck because a single season on a sports team will knock out your hours. If not, hiking or dancing will do. Anything that involves movement will complete your CAS action hours, and help you stay in shape.
Team Sports: Basketball, volleyball, rugby, swimming; these are some of the most popular. It’s not just about winning; it's about teamwork, discipline, and staying active.
Hiking and Nature Conservation: Plan a series of hikes or clean-up events in nature reserves. It’s a great way to stay fit and care for the environment.
Dance: Lead or participate in dance classes. It could be anything from ballet to hip-hop, promoting physical fitness and cultural appreciation.
Fitness Fundraiser: Host a charity run, swim, or cycle event. You get to train, compete, and raise money for a good cause.
Adventure Camping: Organize a camping trip that includes physically challenging activities like rock climbing or river rafting. Learn survival skills and enjoy the thrill.
Martial Arts Training: Take up a martial arts class and aim for a new belt by the end of your CAS cycle. It teaches discipline, self-defense, and mental strength.
Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat: Conduct or attend a series of yoga sessions focusing on physical and mental health, promoting overall well-being.
Community Sports Day: Plan and execute a sports day for local children or your school, encouraging physical activity and teaching sportsmanship.
If you're lucky enough, your school might be organizing trips such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a few day long hiking and camping trip, during which you can knock out a bunch of hours, travel, and gain new experiences.
CAS Service Ideas:
CAS wouldn’t be complete without a little community service. What would all of the knowledge and skills we learn during the IB be for, if not used toward improving our communities? We’re all at least somewhat capable of lending a helping hand. Here are a few ideas how to:
Community Tutoring Program: Start or join a tutoring service for underprivileged students. Share your knowledge and skills, boosting their academic performance and confidence.
Environmental Campaign: Lead a local initiative to promote recycling, reduce waste, or conserve energy. Educate others and advocate for sustainable practices.
Elderly Outreach: Volunteer at a senior center or organize events to engage with the elderly, providing companionship and assistance.
Animal Welfare Project: Work with an animal shelter or organize a campaign to promote animal rights and welfare.
Health Awareness Drive: Create and distribute informational materials or organize workshops on important health issues, promoting community health and well-being.
Food Bank Assistance: Help organize, collect, and distribute food to those in need, addressing hunger and poverty in your community.
Cultural Exchange Program: Facilitate or participate in events that celebrate and educate about different cultures, fostering community diversity and inclusion.
Youth Mentoring Initiative: Mentor younger students or peers, guiding them in personal development, decision-making, and goal setting.
Sometimes your school will organize interesting events like the Special Olympics, that allow you to be active while simultaneously helping to run a sports event for differently abled kids with special needs. Such events usually combine two or more CAS areas and are often more rewarding.
The nice thing about service is learning how to take your interests and talents, and channeling them towards helping others. We’re all good at different things, but if we can put those skills to use improving the world around us, that’s what CAS is really about.
CAS In A Nutshell
Ultimately CAS will compliment your IB studies and help you see the real-world application of your subjects. For example, a CAS project related to environmental science can complement your Biology or Geography lessons, giving you practical experience and a deeper understanding of the curriculum.
To integrate CAS effectively, choose projects aligned with your academic interests or subjects.
CAS activities can be a great opportunity to make yourself more competitive for university admissions.
Colleges love to see that students are actively engaged in extracurricular activities that are relevant to the major they’re applying to. Taking on responsibilities and showing admissions that you care about making a positive impact, really helps them feel enthusiastic about offering you a place in their campus, amongst their student body. If you really love to write and are thinking about studying Journalism in university, join the school newspaper, or start your own blog. Not only will that initiative check off your creativity CAS hours, but your portfolio will set you apart from the students who just got good grades academically!
Tutoring isn't just for academics; it's great for CAS too!
We were once IB students too, and back when we were in grade 12, many of us tutored younger MYP students in assignments we were knowledgeable in. Now that we’re professionals in our respective subjects we tutor IB students on how to succeed in the IB.
A tutor can help brainstorm creative ideas or plan meaningful service projects, making sure you're on track and your activities are impactful. They guide you in reflecting on your experiences, ensuring you meet CAS's learning outcomes. Plus, tutors can connect your CAS projects with your IB subjects, enriching your learning journey. So, if you're looking for inspiration or need help organizing your CAS portfolio, booking a session with an IB tutor might just be the boost you need.
CAS isn't just a checklist; it's a journey that lasts the entire IB program. You need to balance creativity, activity, and service, showing personal growth along the way. Goals should challenge you, reflect personal interests, and have a real impact. Keep track of your experiences and reflections, as documenting your journey is crucial. Start early, keep consistent, and aim to demonstrate the seven key learning outcomes of CAS. It's all about learning by doing, and showing how you've grown from the experience.
