Creativity, Action, Service

Creativity, Action, Service (usually referred to as just CAS) is a component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with the aim of providing a 'counterbalance' to the academic rigour of the educational programme. Students are expected to spend at least 150 hours which is a minimum during the two-year programme participating in different activities that have a function of developing them creatively, physically, and socially. The component is often thought of merely social service, but it is in fact more than just that. A detailed presentation of the IBO, the International Baccalaureate Organization, can be read at [http://www.ibo.org/diploma/curriculum/core/cas/index.cfm] .

All the portions (Creativity, Action, and Service) are vaguely defined and should, according to the IBO, be interpreted as imaginatively as possible, so that a wide array of different activities can qualify for CAS. As the total required amount of hours is 150, and as they should be equally divided between the three portions, there is a "de facto" requirement of at least fifty hours each.

While individual schools or regions have different methods of documentation, all require some form of proof or the signature of the activity coordinator to be presented after completion of the activity. Students must also personally keep track of their total records in either a log or "diary" format. This allows for students to monitor their required hours and to present a coherent documentation of their entire CAS experience. Students have thus far achieved many things while working for their CAS credits, an example of this is the creation of a Hong Kong based website enabling other students to easily find places where CAS activities can be found. [ [http://www.hkactivity.com Welcome! | Hong Kong Activities] ]

CAS is not assessed, but a failure to complete and report the full 150 hours is a failing condition for the IB Diploma. However, the candidate has over one year to make up the 150 hours following the end of the school year to receive the diploma. Those not doing the full IB Diploma but instead the associate program in view of obtaining the IB certificate are only required to have 150 CAS hours.

More information on the IB program and its CAS components can be found at [http://www.ibo.org/diploma/curriculum/core/cas/index.cfm] Like Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge

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