IB Creativity, Action and Service
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM
CREATIVITY, ACTION, AND SERVICE (CAS)
CAS Activities
CAS Diploma Requirement
CAS General Information and Rules
CAS Forms
The CAS “attitude” is captured beautifully in John Hall’s poem.
“Real Evaluation”
Is anybody happier because you passed this way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word to you?
Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that’s slipping fast,
That you helped a single person of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said?
Does the person whose hopes were fading, now with courage look ahead?
Did you waste the day, or lose it? Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness, or scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think someone will say,
“You have earned tomorrow by the work you did today?”
John Hall
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) complements the academic disciplines and counter-balances academic self-absorption. It is a three to four hour per week commitment over the two years of the program. CAS is a spirit of discovery, self-reliance, skills, and interests that each of you will become aware of.
Your CAS hours must reflect a balance of creativity, action, and service activities.
CREATIVITY: arts and other experiences that involve creative thinking
ACTION: physical exertion
SERVICE: an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a benefit for the student and the community
CAS Activities
- CAS activities start the first day of school of junior year and continue for the next 18 months
- All CAS activities are recorded on the bcc.managebac.com website
- Most activities will have an adult supervisor. You will need the supervisor's name, email address, and telephone number. The supervisor will complete an evaluation form for the student at the end of the activity.
- Some activities will not have supervisors. (A parent cannot be a supervisor.) An activity where there is no supervisor needs to be pre-approved. As long as the activity can be documented through reflections, photos, logs interviews, a supervisor is not required BUT pre-approval is required.
- May be formal clubs, individual work, or groups of students working together on projects as long as there is an approved CAS leader.
CAS Diploma Requirement
- Failure to fulfill the requirement means IB will not award an IB diploma.
Reflections
- A reflection is required for each activity.
- Reflections may be written, recorded or may be in the form of a photo essay, video, weblog or scrapbook.
- This is a self-evaluation of your personal performances and should reflect:
- The extent to which you develop personally as a result of the activity.
- The understanding, skills and values you acquired through the activity.
- The benefit you consider the activity was or may be to others.
Reflections are to record changes, successes and challenges during the program. It is NOT meant to be merely a record of time spent and/or activities undertaken.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT
Students are required to:
- Self-review at the beginning of their CAS experience and set personal goals for what they hope to achieve
- Plan, do and reflect (plan activities, carry them out and reflect on what they have learned)
- Meet 3 times with their CAS advisor - at the start of the diploma program, at the end of junior year and a final review
- Take part in a variety of activities, including at least one project they have initiated themselves
- Keep records of their activities and achievements
- Show evidence of achievement of the eight CAS learning outcomes:
1. increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas for growth
2. undertaken new challenges
3. planned and initiated activities
4. worked collaboratively with others
5. shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
6. engaged with issues of global importance
7. considered the ethical implications of their actions
8. developed new skills
- Complete CAS by March 1st of senior year
Suggested CAS Activities:
Creativity
| Art Club |
Drama & Theater |
| Band/Orchestra |
Literary Magazine |
| Ceramics |
Photography |
| Choreography |
Science Club |
| Chorus/Madrigals |
Writing Club |
Debate & Forensics
Tutoring
|
Yearbook
Newspaper
|
Action
| Baseball |
Horse Back Riding |
| Basketball |
Indoor Track |
| Cheerleading |
Pompon |
| Cross Country |
Soccer |
| Crew |
Softball |
| Cycling |
Swimming |
| Dance |
Tennis |
| Field Hockey |
Volleyball |
| Football |
Wrestling |
Golf
Sport training program such as an organized fitness plan or running plan
|
Activity Classes/Lessons such as Martial Arts
Yoga
|
Service
| Bethesda Cares |
Mathletes |
| C & O Canal Preservation |
Wider Circle |
| Church Group |
Scouting Service |
| Computer Club |
Student Government |
| International Club |
Tutoring |
| Habitat for Humanity/Rebuilding Together |
Welcoming Diversity |
Volunteering in:
| Camps |
Women’s Shelters |
| Day Care Centers |
Nursing Homes |
Elementary Schools
Museums
|
Soup Kitchens
|
CAS General Information and Rules
- CAS starts on the first day of school of junior year
- CAS must be completed by March 1st of senior year
- Any questions or concerns regarding a CAS project should be directed to the CAS Coordinator (Mrs. Bruno) in the IB Office, Room A215.
- Creativity, Action and Service hours should be broken down into approximately 50 hours for each section; requests to do more of one activity should be discussed with the CAS Coordinator.
- Try to do a variety of activities for your CAS hours and spread them out over the two years; do not squeeze them all into one summer or one semester of school. The expectation is that approximately 2-3 hours a week is spent on CAS activities.
- Clubs can count up to a maximum of 20/year; extra involvement in a club such as being an officer can earn additional CAS hours if they are documented.
- Band, Chorus,and non IB Art classes can count toward CAS hours.
- Taking lessons such as karate, dance, horseback riding, etc. can count toward action hours.
- Students working toward their Eagle Scout certification may count some of their hours toward CAS – to be discussed with the CAS Coordinator.
- SGA officers may earn CAS hours.
- Debate/Forensics/Math Team all count toward CAS hours (Creativity).
- Students who work on the school newspaper and yearbook may count hours toward CAS.
- Classes at B-CC that do not count toward your IB diploma may go towards CAS hours. Some examples might be guitar class, ceramics class, basketball class, etc.
- Divisive activities and participating in religious services may not count toward CAS hours.
CAS Forms