What is CAS?
CAS is an abbreviation of creativity, action and service
- Creativity is interpreted broadly to include a wide range of art activities as well as the creativity students demonstrate in designing service projects.
- Action includes physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle.
- Service encompasses an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student. Some examples include being an intro student, teacher assistant, paying visits in the home for elderly, tutoring, voluntary work for humanitarian organisation etc.
What is the scope of CAS?
- Throughout the two years of IB-studies, IB students must participate in at least 150 hours of Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) activities - a minimum of 50 hours in each area is encouraged.
- All CAS activities need pre-approval
- Activities may be school-sponsored but a part of the activities must be activities out in the local community.
- Students must keep a journal of their CAS activities.
- Student activities must be documented. A form must be filled out with a signature of the person responsible for the activity (you can upload the form a this web-site)
- A student’s CAS activities may consist of:
- - One project only provided that all three basic areas (creativity, action, and service) are included and are in balance, or
- - Activities chosen from each of the three areas or
- - A combination of two.
- A single activity from one area can not add up to more than 20 hours
- The CAS advisor has the final decision as to the acceptance of all projects.
- At least twice a year, your CAS coordinator will consult you order to make sure, that your activities meet the requirements of the IBO
- CAS activities should be carried out throughout you studies – not over only one summer.
What activities are CAS activities?
To ensure that an activity will qualify for hours of CAS, the following questions should be asked by the student:
- Can I describe the activity?
- What is it about this activity that will qualify it as “creative”, “action” and/or “service”?
- Can I state what I hope to learn about myself through this experience?
- Will I receive compensation, academic credit, or other forms of credit? In order for the activity to qualify as a CAS the answer to this question should be no. Students are expected to record their activity in their CAS journal and write a response concerning each activity.
What could a CAS activity be?
| At Birkerød Gymnasium & IB: | ||
| Service | Action | Creativity |
| Tutoring of Danish students at BG | Participation and coaching girls football team | School plays/musicals |
| Participation in information meetings at BG | Participation and coaching basket ball teams | Dance Companies |
| Teacher assistant: Presentations in a Danish class at BG (i.e. English or religion class) | Participation in swimming clubs | Visual art exhibitions |
| Designing and writing yearbook for 3u students | Participation in and coaching rugby team | Participation in IB play |
| Participation in intro activities | Participation in and coaching skating activities | Musical, choral or Instrumental activities |
| Participation in students council | Yearbook | |
| Participation at cultural events (cultural nights) | Participation in “julestjerne for en aften” | |
| Participation in AOC | Writing articles in “Bulgur” | |
| Cake sales for humanitarian organisations | IB fashion show | |
| Participation in photo competitions | ||
| In the local community | ||
| Service | Action | Creativity |
| Voluntary work for humanitarian organisation (look for suggestions below) | Participation in dance activities | Community choirs |
| Visiting the Danish Folkeskole in Birkerød (contact your CAS-coordinator for advice) | Walkathon (participation in an already organised activity or organisation of your own) | Community orchestra |
| Assistance to elderly people (i.e. Danish Red Cross - contact your CAS-coordinator for advice) | Participation in sports activities | Community dance companies |
| Collection for humanitarian organisations (see list of dates and time) | Organisation of a sport event | Exhibitions in the local community |
| Tutoring of students in the community | Assisting voluntary organisations in carrying out courses in physical exercise | Community theatre |
| Oral presentations in the local primary and middle school |
Evaluations
Self-evaluation
A written, critical self-evaluation of personal performance is required by the students. This process is to encourage critical thinking skills and enhance awareness of one’s own strengths and weaknesses.
In their evaluation students should consider:
- The extent to which they have developed personally as a result of the CAS activity
- The understanding, skill, and values acquired through the experience. How others may have benefited from the activity.
School evaluation
Schools are required to record and evaluate all students’ CAS work. Their records will focus on the following performance criteria:
- A student’s attendance, punctuality, and time spent on activity.
- Evidence of initiative, planning, and organization.
- The amount of effort and commitment displayed.
- A student’s personal achievement and development, taking into account skills and attitudes at the start of the activity.
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