CAS (IB Core)
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
Within the Diploma Programme, CAS provides the main opportunity to develop many of the attributes described in the IB learner profile.
- Reflective thinkers; they understand their own strengths and limitations, identify goals and devise strategies for personal growth
- Willing to accept new challenges and new roles
- Aware of themselves as members of communities with responsibilities towards each other and the environment
- Active participants in sustained, collaborative projects
- Balanced; they enjoy and find significance in a range of activities involving intellectual, physical, creative and emotional experiences.
Creativity covers activities which challenge students to be creative and expressive. This aspect of CAS is often realised by a student through participation in areas of the Arts, Music, Drama, Dance, Debate, Photography, Film, learning a new language and Model United Nations. Creativity can also include ‘creating’ things through personal initiative and drive, such as designing and carrying out a community service project. Note that any creative activity done for CAS must be separate from ordinary curriculum work i.e. it is not possible to claim work done in an IB Visual Arts class as CAS.
Action covers activities which challenge students to participate through physical involvement. This aspect of CAS can be realised through participation in various team and individual sports (not merely ‘passive’ involvement, but involvement with a clear goal in sight), both at competitive and non-competitive levels, as well as other activities such as expeditions, outings and physical labour for a community service or environmental project.
Service covers activities which challenge students to participate in projects and activities with the aim of helping others. An identifiable individual, group or cause should be overtly helped if the activity is truly ‘service’. This is perhaps the most important aspect of the CAS programme since involvement in service can do much to help students to develop the key characteristics which will make them positive and contributing ‘global citizens’.
| Learning outcomes of CAS | For the completion of CAS at Sha Tin College students need to complete: |
|---|---|
| As a result of their CAS experience as a whole, including their reflections, studens should have: | 4 major commitments (one in each area C, A & S plus one other) |
| • Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas of growth |
• 1 major CAS project |
| • Undertaken new challenges |
• 6 minor commitments ( a balance in all 3 areas of C, A & S) |
| • Planned and initiated activities |
• 1 CAS week activity |
| • Worked collaboratively with others |
• Evidence of achievement of all 8 learning outcomes at least twice |
| • Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities |
• Students must record evidence of completion and keep track of all their CAS progress in the Sha Tin College CAS Gateway online system |
| • Engaged with issues of global importance |
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| • Considered the ethical implications of their actions |
|
| • Developed new skills |
