CAS Experiences vs CAS Projects (DP IB Creativity, Activity, Service): Revision Note

What counts as a CAS experience?

Defining the CAS experience

• A CAS experience is a specific event or series of events where you engage with one or more of the three CAS strands (creativity, activity and service)

• An experience can be a single event, such as a one-off mountain hike, or an extended series of events, such as regular visits to a nursing home

• Typically, your programme will combine planned and spontaneous experiences that are both singular and ongoing

• A series of planned experiences is recommended as they are often more engaging than unplanned singular events

Mandatory guidelines for an experience

• The experience must fit within at least one of the three CAS strands

• It must be based on your own personal interests, skills, talents or an opportunity for growth

• The experience must provide opportunities to develop the attributes of the IB learner profile—ten qualities such as being caring, balanced or a risk-taker that the IB aims to develop in students

• Experiences must be distinct from, and cannot be used to fulfil, any other assessed DP coursework or requirements

Active participation versus passive attendance

• Experiences require active participation—the requirement that you must be an active contributor to an activity rather than just an observer

• Passive attendance does not count as a CAS experience because it does not involve the development of new challenges or objectives

  • Examples of passive attendance include merely attending a concert or visiting an art gallery without performing or creating anything yourself

What counts as a CAS project?

Core project requirements

• A CAS project—a collaborative and well-considered series of sequential CAS experiences lasting for a minimum of one month

• All students must participate in at least one project during their 18-month programme

• The project can address a single strand of CAS or combine two or all three of the strands

• Every project must follow the CAS stages—the framework consisting of investigation, preparation, action, reflection and demonstration. Not every single CAS experience needs all five CAS stages, but sustained experiences and CAS projects should use the stages as a planning framework

Collaboration and leadership

• Collaboration is the primary purpose of the project, as it ensures you participate in sustained teamwork

  • You must work as part of a team where all members are contributors, which could include a group of students or members of the wider community

• Individual projects—activities performed alone without a team—do not meet the requirements for a CAS project

• The project must offer you the opportunity to show initiative and be responsible for or lead at least one part of the plan

• Through this collaboration, you should demonstrate perseverance and skills such as problem-solving and decision-making

The one-month duration

• A project must have a minimum duration of one month from the initial planning to the final completion

• Projects of a longer duration are encouraged as they provide more scope for personal growth and sustained relationships

What are some examples of CAS projects?

Single strand projects

• Creativity—a group of students plans, designs and creates a large mural for a school wall

• Activity—students organise and participate in a sports team, including regular training sessions and matches against other teams

• Service—students set up and conduct a tutoring programme for children or people in the local community who need academic support

Multi-strand projects

• Creativity and Activity—students choreograph and rehearse a complex routine for a school dance troupe

• Activity and Service—students plan and participate in the physical maintenance of a community garden alongside local residents

• Creativity and Service—students identify a need for school resources and design and make backpacks out of recycled materials for a local primary school

• Creativity, Activity and Service—students rehearse and perform a full dance production to provide entertainment for a community retirement home