CAS/Service as Action

Creativity, Activity, Service 

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is one of the three core subjects every student must complete as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP). A solid CAS program should be both challenging and enjoyable - a personal journey of self-discovery and self-learning. The student chooses their own activities, something they personally love doing and consider to be an important subject for them individually or for society, which allows them to expand their knowledge of the world and develop their skills. Every DP student needs to engage with different projects of their choice, covering the three strands: 

Creativity

This strand is about arts and other experiences that involve creative thinking. This may include visual and performing arts, digital design, writing, film, culinary arts, crafts, and composition. 

 

Activity

This strand is about physical exertion that contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Experiences may include individual and team sports, aerobic exercises, dance, outdoor recreation, fitness training, and other physical activities.

Service

This strand is about an unpaid and voluntary exchange with a learning benefit for the student. The purpose of the service element is for students to understand their ability to make a meaningful contribution to their community and society. The rights, dignity, and autonomy of all involved parties are respected. 

Each student has a different starting point, and therefore, different goals and needs, however, for many, their CAS activities incorporate profound and life-changing experiences. The CAS program allows students to plan and manage their time on their own, build an action plan to achieve their SMART (Smart, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-oriented) goals for each project they engage with or create their own and learn throughout the experience by reflecting on their progress.

SERVICE AS ACTION

The concept of Action (learning by doing and experiencing) is a fundamental part of the MYP programme. Service is a type of action, and NOVA International School expects that all students will be involved in some form of service in each year of the programme. Meaningful service involves the following elements:

• Understanding of the issue
• Identifying the community's needs where service is taking place
• Interaction with individuals or groups in the community

Action is learning by doing and experiencing. Through responsible action, tightly connected with sustained inquiry and critical reflection, young people and adults can develop the attributes described by the IB learner profile, essential for success in future academic pursuits and life beyond the classroom. 

Service, as a subset or particular kind of action, has always been a shared value of the IB community. IB learners strive to be caring members of the community, demonstrate a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment.