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WAB Faculty & Staff

Service: CAS Project

Designing a CAS Project

What Is a WAB CAS Project?

A CAS Project is a student-initiated, collaborative experience that involves investigationplanning, action, and reflection over time — not a single event.
It’s about making a real impact while developing as a socially responsible leader.


✅ Key Features

  • Student-Driven – You take ownership of the project, but it doesn’t need to be something completely new.
    Build on an existing club, partner, or initiative, and make a meaningful contribution.

  • Collaborative – Work with others: peers, clubs, or community partners.

  • Extended – Lasts at least one month, showing commitment and growth.

  • Meaningful – Addresses a real community need linked to a Global Issue (see below).

  • Reflective – You document and reflect on what you learn along the way.

  • Ethical & Sustainable – Promotes respect, responsibility, and long-term positive impact.

  • Supervised – Guided by an approved WAB staff member or community partner.

  • 🚫 Not a One-Time Event – Goes beyond a single activity or event.

  • 🚫 Not Fundraising Alone – Must include direct action, advocacy, or creativity, not just raising money.


CAS Projects at WAB = Collaboration · Commitment · Impact

 

🌍 Global Issues That Matter at WAB

Environmental Sustainability

  • Climate change and carbon reduction

  • Biodiversity loss and habitat conservation

  • Pollinator protection and native species preservation

  • Sustainable agriculture and local food systems

  • Waste reduction and circular economy

  • Plastic pollution and responsible consumption

  • Water conservation and clean water access

  • Renewable energy and low-impact living

  • Urban greening and rewilding


Belonging, Well-Being & Inclusion

  • Mental health awareness and emotional well-being

  • Access to quality education for all

  • Equity and inclusion

  • Disability inclusion and accessibility

  • Gender equality and empowerment

  • Migrant and left-behind children’s education

  • Poverty and social inequality

  • Aging populations and intergenerational connection


Community & Sustainable Livelihoods

  • Fair trade and ethical consumerism

  • Sustainable rural development and food security

  • Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices

  • Small-scale entrepreneurship and local economies

  • Artisan crafts and cultural preservation

  • Responsible tourism and global-local exchange


Peace, Justice & Global Citizenship

  • Social responsibility and human rights

  • Cross-cultural understanding and empathy

  • Digital citizenship and online well-being

  • Global health and collective responsibility


CAS at WAB connects local action to global challenges.
Through authentic partnerships and projects, students learn how to care for people and the planet — responsibly, ethically, and collaboratively.

Why WAB Recommends Working with Established Community Partners

1. Alignment with WAB Values and Learning Goals

  • Ensures the experience aligns with WAB’s Global Citizenship and Socially Responsible Leadership frameworks.

  • Promotes authentic engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WAB’s Belonging and Sustainability Strategies.

  • Reinforces the principles of ethical, reciprocal, and long-term community partnerships.

2. Safety and Risk Management

  • Partners have been vetted for student safety, supervision standards, and safeguarding practices.

  • Reduces risks associated with unverified organizations or unsupervised environments.

  • Ensures clear accountability and communication channels between WAB and the partner.

3. Educational Quality and Reflection Support

  • WAB community partners understand CAS learning outcomes and can provide meaningful opportunities for reflection and growth.

  • Students benefit from consistent mentoring, structured experiences, and guided supervision.

  • Facilitates feedback and documentation that meet IB and WAB requirements.

4. Sustainable Impact and Reciprocity

  • Strengthens long-term relationships that benefit both students and the community.

  • Encourages continuity of service, so future students can build on previous work.

  • Promotes a mutually beneficial exchange, not one-off volunteering.

5. Simplified Communication and Oversight

  • Easier coordination between students, supervisors, and the CAS Coordinator.

  • Streamlined documentation, approval, and verification through ManageBac.

  • Ensures WAB oversight in addressing any issues that arise.

6. Equity and Inclusion

  • Guarantees that all students have equal access to meaningful opportunities.

  • Upholds WAB’s goal of creating inclusive, community-based learning experiences accessible to everyone.

WAB Community Partners

WAB Community Partners by Angelia Crouch (she/her)

Working with Organizations Other Than WAB Identified Community Partners

Overview

The Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) program at WAB encourages students to engage meaningfully with their community through safe, ethical, and sustainable partnerships.
While most CAS experiences are conducted with established community partners, students may occasionally wish to work with an outside organization or supervisor.

Note: WAB strongly recommends students collaborate with approved and established WAB community partners whenever possible.


Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Initial Discussion with CAS Coordinator

Before contacting any outside organization, the student must:

  • Meet with the CAS Coordinator to discuss the project idea.

  • Explain why the project requires an external partner and how it aligns with WAB’s CAS learning outcomes and Global Citizenship values.

  • Review possible risks, supervision requirements, and safeguarding concerns.


2. Submit a Written Proposal

If approved to proceed, the student must submit a CAS Proposal Form including:

  • A clear description of the project and intended learning outcomes.

  • The name and contact information of the outside organization and proposed supervisor.

  • A statement of how the project benefits the community and ensures mutual respect and sustainability.

  • Evidence that the organization operates ethically and safely, in line with WAB’s values.

The CAS Coordinator reserves the right to deny or modify proposals that do not meet WAB’s standards.


3. Supervisor Vetting and Agreement

If the proposal is accepted:

  • The CAS Coordinator will contact the outside supervisor to verify their role, credentials, and understanding of CAS requirements.

  • Both the student and the outside supervisor must sign a WAB CAS External Supervisor Agreement, which outlines:

    • The supervisor’s role (observation, verification, feedback, safety oversight).

    • Communication expectations with the CAS Coordinator.

    • Safeguarding and conduct standards consistent with WAB policy.


4. Ongoing Communication

  • The student must provide regular updates through ManageBac and communicate any changes to their project scope or supervision.

  • The CAS Coordinator may request progress check-ins or additional documentation.

  • Students are responsible for maintaining professional and safe communication with the external partner at all times.


5. Completion and Reflection

  • The external supervisor must complete a Supervisor Review Form verifying the student’s participation, responsibility, and ethical conduct.

  • The student must upload:

    • A final reflection demonstrating learning outcomes and global significance.

    • Any evidence of collaboration or community impact.