IB CAS: Love to lead!
If you study in an IB World School, you probably already know about CAS. It’s a key component of the IB Diploma Programme, and it prompts students to get involved in a creative endeavour, an activity, or a service that benefits their community during their sixth-form years. CAS is designed to push students to show initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop key skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making.
That being said, as an IB student, ideas for CAS projects should not feel like a drag. They should be both enjoyable and challenging – a personal journey to self-discovery! It is up to you to figure out what will push your limits and make you proud of yourself.
The number of CAS projects you could get involved with is truly countless. It all comes down to what you want to do and what your passion is. The best advice is always to try and pick something you will enjoy doing since you are more likely to stick with it and get as much as possible out of the activity. While there is a certain amount of hours you need to accumulate don’t let that discourage you. You have about 18 months to get roughly 150 hours of CAS activities and set up at least one project. While that may seem overwhelming, consider it is only 2-4 hours a week that you need to dedicate towards CAS and you’ll see that it is quite doable.
Don’t forget of course that the aim of CAS is to get you out of your comfort zone, challenge you and enrich you so there will probably be at least some of those elements in whatever you pick.
Without further ado here are our top 37 IB CAS project ideas.
1. Start a club!
Starting a club at school is not only a great way to meet more of your classmates and make new friends. It is also a way to educate others in something you are good at or ignite a passion in your fellow students that you already have. Don’t be nervous if your chosen topic is not too mainstream – if you are passionate about something, chances are that others will at least be interested too!
One of the most fun clubs we heard of was organised by a boy who liked solving Rubik’s Cube and could do it in under 12 seconds. He started a club to teach those who were also interested in learning how to arrange the puzzle and do it fast.
2. Beach Clean Up
At Westbourne School, we are very fortunate to be located near the beautiful Penarth beach. That also means that we often have the opportunity to get involved in beach cleanups. Some of our students are even collaborating with organisations such as Surfers Against Sewage, which organise regular cleanups and provide an opportunity for students to get involved.
You might not be located near a beach, but perhaps there is a forest, park, or even a residential area that needs volunteers who are happy to leave the place much cleaner than they found it. Explore what is available around you and make the most of it!
3. Support a marathon..
…even take part in one! This one could potentially give you points for both creativity and service, depending on what you feel comfortable with. If you are not a runner and the idea of training for a marathon or half marathon is not your thing, you could still take part by supporting the runners and giving out refreshments. You can still do that as support for a charity and fundraise on their behalf.
If you like the idea of getting involved in something that is both an activity and a service, but there aren’t any organised marathons in your area that you can take part in, try and explore similar projects. Some of the students at Westbourne are taking part in the 24-hour race which is a student-led, annually organised, global movement that aims to end slavery.
There are many similar events out there that combine physical activity with a great cause worth training for! You just need to find the right one for yourself.
4. Support others in your school
To get points for creativity you could support younger students in a Prep School with their art projects or help out the drama club. You could teach students athletics or a dance to get points for the activity. However, keep in mind none of these will give you points for service as that needs to be something provided in the greater community, outside of school.
5. Go Global!
CAS and the IB Diploma as a whole encourage students to become global citizens with an outlook on issues that affect the larger community. One example of achieving this is to take part in a peaceful demonstration/ protest and encourage others to follow too. At Westbourne, our student Safia took part in the School Strikes for Future by making posters and encouraging her classmates to do the same during lunch break. This was a great way for her to show her support for a cause she believes in, that also affects others.
6. Get dancing
Put together a dance marathon to raise money for a cause. Admittedly, this one is for the ambitious students out there as it combines all three aspects of CAS. Creativity is exemplified by the artistical side of the dance. Action is ticked off not only by the dance but by the longevity of the performance and service is achieved by raising money for a cause.
Of course, there are multiple variations on this one. You could do something other than dancing and ensure it is creative to get the same split of points.
7. Teach others a language
It could be your native language if you study abroad or a language you are good at and is also taught in your school. If, for example, you are an international student who studies in the UK, your classmates are likely to be interested in your language. You could help other students by reading magazines in the language with them or writing essays together and getting points for creativity
Again, this probably won’t count as service since it does not affect the community outside of school, however, it is worth talking to your CAS teacher and exploring how you could further benefit people around you. Maybe there is a charity that needs help with translation or the community centre near you holds ‘speak with a native’ language classes?
8. Make a movie
This is another ambitious project that has the potential of ticking off at least two of your CAS components – action and creativity. Be prepared that it is a lot of work! You would need to write the script, direct the movie, film it and edit the footage.
To get extra service points, you could think about doing a screening in school and charge a small amount for tickets and snacks that will then go to a charity.
9. Get peddling
Form a cycling club! A cycling club in your community is not only a great way to socialise with like-minded fans of cycling but a great way to also achieve some action points. To compliment that you could start a biker’s journal going out to people in your cycling club and the larger community and covering topics on road safety, local cycling routes, benefits of exercise etc. and achieve extra service points for that!
10. Become a literary critic
Writing book reviews for your local library’s blog. This one is perfect for all of the bookworms out there who would appreciate reading a new book and telling the world about it! It’s also one that combines both creativity and service, just make sure there is no payment for your service other than the love for books you will ignite in your readers.
11. Get baking!
Organise a bake sale. For those who love spending time in the kitchen, this is the perfect way to do something you love and later donate the proceeds from the sale to a charity. To get extra points you could also document your recipes and baking tutorials by starting a blog or a YouTube channel. If you live in the boarding house you could get fellow boarding students to help out!
12. Get crafty
Learn to make something professionally. Arts and crafts are a favourite hobby for many and a great way to raise money for donations. You could learn to do calligraphy and make hand-made cards, or make candles or bath bombs and later donate the goods for raffle prizes and have the money collected from the raffle donated to a charity of your choice. Again, this is a perfect activity for you and your fellow boarders to enjoy while relaxing at the boarding house!
13. Fun competitions
Organise a ‘Guess the baby’ competition. Get your teachers to submit a photo from when they were babies and hold a contest between your classmates to see who will guess the most. You could have an entry price and dedicate a small amount of the raised money for a winner’s prize then donate the rest.
14. Charity help
Get involved with a local charity! Pick a cause that you feel passionate about and approach a local charity to see if you can help them in any way. If possible, try and play on your strengths and use the skills you have acquired in school. For example, help maintain financial accounts for your chosen charity if you are good at maths and business. If you like English you could assist with their Social Media channels or help put together a newsletter.
15. Conservation
We previously talked about beach cleaning. However, if beach cleaning is not your thing, but you are passionate about nature and conservation work then consider testing the air and water quality in the area you live and study and raising awareness for how those could be bettered.
16. Go eco
Start a recycling club. Another great way to help better your community is to raise awareness for recycling and sustainable living. Encourage your fellow students to bring reusable water bottles, minimise the amount of waste they produce and make sure the rest goes to recycling.
17. Get musical
Learn to play an instrument. It’s a great way to develop a new skill and enjoy yourself, especially if you are particularly fond of music. To combine some elements of service you could organise a mini-concert when you know how to play a few songs and raise money for a charity.
18. 365
Start a 365 photo project. You can join one of the multiple photography communities online on social platforms like Flicks and complete a challenge to test your commitment to photography and prove you can stick with projects. In the end, you will have a beautiful gallery to be proud of.
If you felt particularly proud of your art, you could print your photographs and showcase them on a gallery wall or even organise a silent auction for the prints with the money going to charity.
19. Online exhibitions
Establish a virtual online exhibition. If you don’t like the look of the online communities or you feel like there is an opportunity for connecting your school with others in your area you could start an online exhibition. It can be photography, video or something else entirely and how you approach the other schools is completely up to you.
20. Start a MUN club!
Start a MUN club. Model United Nations (MUN) is an educational simulation and/or academic activity in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations and the UN. MUN is great for developing speaking, debating and writing skills in addition to critical thinking, teamwork and leadership.
21. Wildlife Conservation
Why not volunteer at a local wildlife conservation group? We are lucky enough to have a number of these in the local area in Penarth, both coast and countryside-focused. It’s a great way to meet people in your local community and, importantly, to protect native species and their habitats.
22. Coding Workshops for teenagers
Organise coding workshops to teach computer skills and programming to teenagers with a passion for this field, fostering technological literacy and potential career paths.
23. Senior Support
Create a programme to help senior citizens learn to use technology, enhancing their ability to stay connected with loved ones and access online resources. Many local libraries run similar groups – it’s worth getting in touch to see how you can help boost their offering.
24. Cultural Exchange Blogging
Start a blog that explores different cultures by collaborating with international students, and promoting global understanding and communication.
25. DIY Upcycling
Lead local workshops on upcycling, teaching how to repurpose waste materials into useful products, and contributing to environmental sustainability. Facebook will likely have local “reuse and recycle” groups for unwanted belongings – why not get in touch with the organisers and see if a collaboration might be possible?
26. Community Fitness Bootcamp
Initiate a free fitness boot camp for the community to promote health and wellness, encouraging physical activity among all age groups. Think how you can make the best use of your location – the sea or countryside makes a brilliant backdrop for wellness!
27. Art Therapy Sessions for Children
Offer art therapy sessions for children dealing with trauma or stress, providing a creative outlet for expression and healing. See if you can team up with a local charity or venue to make the sessions meaningful.
28. Environmental Advocacy Campaign
Launch a campaign to raise awareness about a local environmental issue, advocating for change and engaging the community in conservation efforts.
29. Musical Instrument Donation
Organise a drive to collect and donate musical instruments to schools or communities with limited resources, supporting arts education and spreading the power of music!
30. Homework Help Club
Volunteer to provide homework help and tutoring for students in need, supporting academic achievement and confidence. We encourage our senior school students to work alongside our younger pupils as often as possible, supporting them in their work and providing mentorship.
31. Sustainable Gardening Initiative
Establish a community garden that focuses on sustainable practices, offering workshops on organic gardening and composting. Take time to research the topic so you’re equipped with robust advice.
32. Local History Project
Collaborate with a local history museum or society to create a project that preserves and promotes the area’s heritage, such as an interactive website, a short film or even drone footage!
33. Youth Leadership Conference
Plan and host a conference for young leaders, featuring workshops on leadership skills, community service, and personal development. You could ask some of the subject specialists from your school to be involved, sharing their expertise with the community.
34. Refugee or Homeless Support Programme
Work with local organisations or charities to provide assistance and resources to refugees or those living rough, including upskilling activities, language classes, job training, and cultural integration activities.
35. Eco-Friendly Transport Initiative
Promote eco-friendly transportation options, such as biking or carpooling, through a campaign or event to reduce carbon emissions. See if you can embed it within your school with teachers and parents!
36. Community Storytelling Night
Host a storytelling night where people from different backgrounds can share their stories, fostering empathy and community bonds!
37. Food Waste Reduction Programme
Develop a programme to reduce food waste in your community, partnering with local businesses and charities to redistribute surplus food. Supermarkets are usually really keen to support the local community – why not approach them to get involved too?
Regardless of whether you choose one of the above projects or decide to go with a different one be sure to prepare yourself for success. After all, learning to plan and manage your time is a key skill you will acquire by doing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. This goes without saying, but you should be well aware that TOK and Extended Essay will take quite a bit of time as well.
Make sure you investigate your idea and understand why you are doing your project and what the end goal is. It is a good idea to speak with your CAS teacher to ensure he/she can approve your idea, they might be a great resource for how to make your idea work even better too!
Once your idea has been discussed with a teacher make sure you prepare for your projects in advance. It is a great idea to have a clear plan of action – identify resources and timelines, clarify roles and responsibilities and acquire any skills or kit you may need.
Be prepared that things may not go entirely to plan. You might need to solve problems that have occurred last minute and make tough decisions, just remember that those are still skills you will gain out of the experience and it does not mean your project won’t work.
Preparing yourself beforehand is valuable, however, be sure to reflect on your project afterwards too! Describe what happened, express feelings and raise questions. Reflection should occur at any time during CAS to further understanding, to learn from the experience and to make connections between your actions, growth, accomplishments, personal awareness and learning outcomes.
Demonstration is the last part of CAS. Make sure you can demonstrate what you have achieved and how you learned during the experience. Depending on what your project was that may take various forms and it will be easier in some cases than others. That being said, remember that the point of demonstrating is to communicate your project and solidify your learnings. Don’t be too worried about how you demonstrate your project before you have even started it, it is the last step for a reason and there will be a sure way to prove your learnings at the end.