IB CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) Ideas

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is one of the three Core elements of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. It encourages you to step outside the classroom, explore your interests, contribute to your community, and develop skills that last well beyond exams.

In this guide, you’ll find a wide range of CAS ideas organised by strand, personality type, and situation, along with practical advice on planning and reflection to make your experiences meaningful.

Key Takeaways

• CAS is a core part of the IB Diploma that develops you through creativity, activity, and service.

• There’s a wide range of possibilities, from arts and sports to volunteering, tech projects, and more.

• The most valuable experiences are the ones that feel meaningful and include thoughtful reflection.

• CAS helps you build skills and memories that last well beyond the IB exams.

What Is CAS in the IB Diploma Programme?

CAS stands for Creativity, Activity and Service. It’s one of the three Core elements of the IB Diploma Programme, alongside the Extended Essay (EE) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK).

Through CAS, you’ll take part in experiences that help you grow as a learner and as a person. The aim is to:

• Explore new interests and passions.

• Contribute to your community or the wider world.

• Develop key skills like resilience, teamwork, and reflection.

According to a study by the IB Research department (opens in a new tab) at the University of Bath, students often describe CAS as “challenging but rewarding.” The research found that nearly 80% of IB alumni agreed CAS helped them “learn about life, the world and other people,” and over 80% said it prepared them for future life and university.

To complete CAS successfully, students need to show evidence of achieving learning outcomes such as:

• Taking on new challenges.

• Developing new skills.

• Working collaboratively.

• Showing perseverance and commitment.

• Engaging with global issues.

• Reflecting on personal growth.

CAS involves participating in short CAS experiences and at least one CAS project:

• CAS experiences are shorter activities, such as joining a debate team, organising a charity event, or volunteering locally.

• The CAS project is a longer, collaborative activity (lasting at least a month), such as organising a school musical, running a fitness programme, or setting up a community initiative.

CAS is measured by what you learn and achieve through these activities, rather than the number of hours you spend on them.

How to Choose the Right CAS Project for You

Not every CAS project will suit every student, and it’s worth taking time to choose the right fit for you. The best CAS projects are those that feel both meaningful and manageable. 

Think about what interests you, the time you can realistically give, and the impact you’d like to make. A project that fits these factors will be easier to commit to and more rewarding in the long run. 

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Your interests and passions: Choose something you care about, whether that’s music, sport, technology, or a social issue. Motivation comes naturally when you enjoy the activity.

• Time and resources: Consider what’s realistic alongside schoolwork and other commitments. A local project might be more achievable than something that requires weeks of planning.

• Community needs or global issues: Projects linked to real-world challenges, such as sustainability, mental health, or digital inclusion, often have a greater impact.

• Solo vs. group projects: Decide if you’d prefer to lead a project on your own or collaborate with classmates. Both approaches can be valuable.

• Skills you want to develop: CAS is a chance to push yourself. Think about whether you’d like to build leadership, learn coding, practise public speaking, or gain experience in event planning.

Quick Self-Reflection Checklist

Once you have an idea, ask yourself:

• Am I interested enough in this project to stick with it?

• Can I fit it into my timetable without becoming overwhelmed?

• Does it make a positive contribution to others?

• Will it help me grow or learn something new?

• Would I prefer to do it alone or with a group?

If you can say “yes” to most of these, you’ve probably found a project worth pursuing.

CAS Ideas by Strand

Creativity CAS Ideas

Creativity in CAS is about using your imagination and developing original ideas. This doesn’t just mean art; it can include music, design, performance, or even problem-solving in new ways.

• Start a photography project on sustainability and display the results in an exhibition or online.

• Write and publish a series of short stories, poems, or blog posts on a theme that matters to you.

• Create a student podcast exploring cultural diversity, local history, or mental health.

• Design a school magazine or website featuring articles, graphics, and student contributions.

• Compose and perform original music with friends, or record and share it digitally.

Activity CAS Ideas

Activity is about physical effort that contributes to a healthy lifestyle. This can range from personal challenges to team-based projects.

• Organise a charity run or walk to raise awareness and funds for a chosen cause.

• Lead a weekly fitness or dance class for classmates or younger students.

• Try a new physical challenge such as rock climbing, yoga, or martial arts, and reflect on your progress.

• Set up an after-school football or basketball club to encourage more students to get active.

• Plan a hiking or cycling trip that also links to environmental awareness.

Service CAS Ideas

Service focuses on making a positive contribution to others, whether locally or globally. It works best when you spot a genuine need in your community.

• Volunteer regularly at a local shelter, food bank, or charity shop.

• Run a digital literacy workshop to help senior citizens use phones, email, or social media.

• Offer tutoring or mentoring for younger students in subjects you’re confident in.

• Organise a community clean-up in a local park, beach, or neighbourhood.

• Collaborate with a local or international organisation to run an awareness campaign on issues like sustainability, health, or human rights.

CAS Ideas by Interest or Personality Type

Every IB student is different, so your CAS project should reflect who you are and what motivates you. Here are some suggestions matched to different interests and personalities:

For creative students

• Stage a short play or performance and invite your school or community to attend.

• Curate an art exhibition featuring student work, raising funds for a local cause.

• Design a fashion or upcycling project using recycled materials.

For introverts

• Write and illustrate a graphic novel or short story collection.

• Run a community blog on wellbeing, study tips, or sustainability.

• Create a nature photography project that focuses on local landscapes or biodiversity.

For tech-savvy students

• Develop a mobile app or website that solves a problem in your school or community.

• Volunteer to provide IT support for local charities or community groups.

• Set up an online coding club for younger students.

For budding entrepreneurs

• Organise a school market day selling handmade products, with profits going to charity.

• Start a student-led social enterprise, such as a reusable water bottle initiative.

• Launch a fundraising campaign using creative marketing strategies.

For environmental activists

• Create a zero-waste challenge for your school or community.

• Run a tree-planting or community garden project.

• Partner with a local organisation to reduce plastic use in shops or cafés.

For social justice advocates

• Lead a campaign on mental health awareness in your school.

• Work with an NGO to design a human rights or equality workshop.

• Organise a school-wide fundraiser for a cause linked to global justice.

Easy CAS Ideas You Can Start Right Away

Not every CAS activity needs weeks of planning. Some of the most effective projects are simple, flexible, and easy to get started on. These ideas work well if you’re short on time, have limited resources, or need to balance CAS with a heavy workload, such as IB Business Management:

• Keep a daily sketchbook or photo journal and reflect on your progress.

• Organise a litter pick in your local park or neighbourhood.

• Take on a personal fitness challenge, like running a 5K or learning a new sport.

• Volunteer for a one-off community event, such as a festival or charity drive.

• Record short music or language tutorials and share them online.

• Bake or cook for a local fundraiser and document the experience.

These smaller activities still count towards CAS if you reflect on what you learned, how you contributed, and the skills you developed.

How to Plan and Reflect on Your CAS Experiences

Planning and reflection are as important as the CAS activities themselves. The IB wants to see that you’ve thought carefully about your choices and that you can explain what you learned from them.

Planning your CAS experiences

• Set a goal: Decide what you want to achieve (e.g. improve teamwork, support a cause, learn a new skill).

• Map out steps: Break your project into manageable tasks and create a timeline.

• Check the requirements: Ensure your project incorporates creativity, activity, and service, and that it lasts for a reasonable duration.

• Get approval: Share your plan with your CAS coordinator before you begin.

Documenting progress

• Keep a CAS journal or blog with photos, videos, or notes as a record of your activities.

• Track time spent and milestones achieved.

• Record challenges and how you overcame them.

• Focus on what you did and how you felt, rather than just describing events.

Reflecting effectively

Reflection is about making sense of your experiences. Instead of writing “It went well,” try answering questions like:

• What challenges did I face, and how did I overcome them?

• What skills did I use or develop?

• How did the project affect others, and what impact did it have on me?

• What would I do differently next time?

For example, here’s a reflection entry from a student who organised a charity football match:

“The hardest part was getting enough players to sign up to play in the match. I learned how important clear communication is. Once I started putting up posters and arranged for short announcements to be read out in assemblies, I soon had plenty of people to participate. On the day, the weather was terrible. I had to stay calm and rethink arrangements. I quickly moved the match indoors to the gym. I realised I was more confident in leading a group than I thought, and I’d like to keep building this skill.”

Strong reflections show evidence of personal growth, self-awareness, and connection to the CAS learning outcomes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a CAS activity?

Any experience that fits under Creativity, Activity, or Service and helps you meet the CAS learning outcomes. 

Activities should be meaningful. For example, joining a weekly drama club, leading a fitness session, or volunteering regularly at a food bank all count as community service.

How long should a CAS project last?

There’s no set length, but projects should run long enough to show planning, commitment, and impact. 

Most schools expect a CAS project to last at least a month.

Do I need to do all three CAS strands equally?

Not necessarily. CAS isn’t about splitting time equally between Creativity, Activity, and Service. What matters is that you engage with all three strands and demonstrate growth in the learning outcomes.

Can I do CAS activities online or from home?

Yes. Online or at-home projects, such as tutoring younger students virtually, running a blog, or creating digital resources for charities, are all acceptable, as long as they meet CAS requirements and you reflect on them properly.

Final Thoughts

CAS is your chance to grow beyond the classroom while making a real impact on yourself and others. The best projects are the ones that excite and challenge you, let you make a difference, and leave you with experiences you’ll carry into university, work, and beyond.

For more help balancing CAS with the rest of your IB studies, explore Save My Exams’ IB resources. You’ll find revision notes, past papers, and exam-style questions to support you across every subject.

References:

The impact of creativity, action, service (CAS) on students and communities (2017) - International Baccalaureate® (opens in a new tab)

Full Report: The Impact of Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) on students and communities (opens in a new tab)