To be or not to be CAS

A student teaching bible study

一个学生教学圣经研究

• yes

• no

Answer explanation

As outlined in the CAS guide (‘Diversity in values and beliefs’ section in the Appendix) potential CAS involvement that involves faith-based activities needs to be looked at on an individual basis.  If the student in this engagement focuses on the skills they will gain in planning and teaching their programme, then this could be considered a CAS experience.  However if the goal of the experience is to persuade others to change their religious beliefs, it might not be appropriate. 

A student group organises a rally to protest against a planned development in a local wetland 

一个学生团体组织了一次集会，抗议在当地湿地的开发计划

• Could be acceptable as CAS

• Not Acceptable as CAS

Answer explanation

this could be a part of a single CAS experience, or, depending on the extent and duration of the student’s involvement, this could be a CAS project.   It would be wise for the CAS Coordinator or CAS Advisor to have discussions with the student to ensure that their protests are in alignment with the IB mission statement and the school ethos.  For instance, if the protest was violent, it would not be appropriate.

A Group 4 project involving restoration of a mangrove area

第4组学科的项目涉及红树林地区的恢复工作

• Could be acceptable as CAS

• Not Acceptable as CAS

Answer explanation

this engagement would not be acceptable as CAS as it is a part of course requirements for Group 4 subjects.  If however the student were to extend their involvement once course requirements were satisfied, it could then be acceptable as a CAS experience (or possibly a project, depending on their level of engagement).

A once-off beach clean up

一次性的海滩清洁活动

• Could be acceptable as CAS

• Not Acceptable as CAS

Answer explanation

however it could be recommended that the student extend their involvement in this experience in order to gain more from their participation.  Though once-off activities can certainly be a part of a student’s CAS portfolio, planned experiences of a longer duration are recommended for a more engaging CAS programme.  A greater involvement in beach clean-ups, along with planning/implementing activities aimed at increasing awareness about the issue of polluted oceans/beaches/waterways, would give the student much greater scope for achievement in the learning outcomes. 

Spanish tutoring to a younger brother

给弟弟做西班牙语辅导

• Could be acceptable as CAS

• Not Acceptable as CAS

Answer explanation

though it could be said that assisting family members is a responsibility of being a part of the family and therefore should not be considered as CAS, planning and delivering this tutoring would allow the student to show evidence of achievement in some learning outcomes.  It could be recommended that the CAS student seek a greater number of younger students to tutor as a group, rather than just their brother, to provide a greater challenge and give more potential for development of skills. 

Learning a language

• Could be acceptable as CAS

• Not Acceptable as CAS

Answer explanation

it should first be clarified that the language in question is not a language that the student studies as a part of their Diploma, as it would be difficult to identify what part of their learning was not a part of their Language Acquisition course.   If it were another language, it could be considered acceptable as CAS.  The student’s Creativity in this experience could be enhanced by having the student create something using their newly learned language, be it a poetry, a song, a lecture, or a podcast.  Doing so would further enhance creative ideas, and give the student more opportunity to show evidence of achievement in the learning outcomes. 

Participating in MUN

• Could be acceptable as CAS

• Not Acceptable as CAS

Answer explanation

MUN provides the student with the opportunity to develop communication and inter-personal skills, enhance public speaking and the critical thinking skills required in a public debate.  As the student would be working with others in developing their knowledge about particular countries and the issues they (we) face to formulate positions and to think creatively to negotiate resolutions, this experience would be within the CAS strand of Creativity.  However unless there is an additional advocacy component to champion a particular social change or the like, simply participating in a MUN conference would not be considered service.  Organising and leading a school MUN group, or planning a MUN event, could be deemed as service.

Playing in the school football team

• Could be acceptable as CAS

• Not Acceptable as CAS

Answer explanation

the key question here would be how much the student is challenged by their involvement; is their participation in this experience something new and demanding, or is it merely joining the team as per previous years?  Though having fun is an important reason for getting involved in CAS, it would also be hoped that the student could achieve more from their involvement.  In this case it may simply be taking on a new role in the team, introducing a new type of training or developing new skills that would make this experience more ‘CAS like’.

Bird watching

• Could be acceptable as CAS

• Not Acceptable as CAS

Answer explanation

if the Activity aspects of the experience were physically demanding enough.  If the bird watching involved only sitting in one location, then it would be too passive to be considered Activity.  However active bird watching that involved walking over distances could be considered at Activity.  Additionally, there could be a creative aspect to the bird watching.  The student may keep a journal detailing their bird watching and their expanding knowledge of different species they spot.  They may sketch the birds they see, or perhaps create a guide for bird watching in they areas they visit.  If however the experience did not involve any physical evidence of the creative aspect of the experience, then it would be difficult to accept this as Creativity.

Attending an arts exhibition 

• Could be acceptable as CAS

• Not Acceptable as CAS

Answer explanation

though attending an arts exhibition may inspire creative thought or action, passive involvement such as this does not constitute CAS.  Attending an arts exhibition, or a theatrical production or musical performance, could be a part of a CAS experience that engages the student actively in creative pursuits, but merely being a part of an audience of a creative presentation is not acceptable as CAS.