Programe for Creativity, Action and Service
CAS Programme
(Creativity, Action, Service)

Since the very beginning CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) has formed an integral part of the IB programme. The CAS programme focuses on individual, social responsibility and the commitment to make the world in which we live a better place.

UWCCR´s CAS programme is centred around its three guiding principles of conflict transformation, the environment and multiculturalism . The programme in general aims to instill learning through experience, motivating students to develop a life-long commitment to active service. By participating in CAS activities students learn that every individual has the potential as well as the responsibility to make a difference in this world.

CAS activities are numerous and varied, thanks to the richness and diversity of public service programmes and environmental initiatives in Costa Rica. A new course in Global Citizenship and Public Service as well as a Global Issues programme complement the experimental aspects of the programme.

Examples of CAS programmes that have been developed include:

Creativity:
• Theatre, painting, digital photography, cooking club, band, music band.


Action:
• Yoga, football, bellydance, tae kwon do , popular dance, modern dance, flamenco.


Service:

• La Promesa – Theatre, art and tutorials with children that live in marginal neighbourhoods
• CEN-CINAI – Games and art workshops with preschool children that attend a nutrition centre for low-income families.
• Mayores Cuidados – Visits to a local nursing home.
• Vivero e Hidroponía – Develop and maintain the school´s plant nursery. This includes developing a hydroponics project, a fertilisation system and an alternative waste management system. There are plans to construct an irrigation system utilising the rain in order to minimise the impact on the environment.

What Is Expected from Students:

Students are expected to have a balanced schedule of activities, which includes at least one activity from each CAS area: Creativity, Action and Service. During their final semester students may choose not to participate in the creative activity, but must continue to be active in the other two CAS activities.

Staff members are involved in all CAS activities. In the areas of Creativity and Action, the college offers a core programme of activities, with each activity lasting one semester. In addition, students that want to share their own skills and knowledge may start and lead new activities. The CAS coordinator will accept proposals for new activities during the first two weeks of the semester. Student-organised activities do not have to run for the entire semester. All students are encouraged to participate in at least one off-campus activity during their two years at UWCCR. In addition, they must keep a portfolio in which they record personal reflections about the learning process they experience through their CAS activities. This portfolio should include a record of the activities the student participated in (e.g. a description of events, photos and / or drawings) as well as written reflections about their experiences.