<p>My son is a junior attempting the full IB diploma which I understand requires 150 hours of CAS. The community service and athletics I can figure out but I don't know what would qualify as a "creative" activity. Our middle years program is not yet certified but the coordinator of that program tried to tell me that he would have to take some kind of class for it to qualify. I am fairly certain that she was incorrect but I don't know how to quantify creativity. I know the diploma programme coordinator will eventually get around to meeting with the juniors to explain things better or I could ask a parent of a senior, but I have seen comments from parents on here that mention IB so I thought I would try for a response.</p>
<p>I'm not a parent, but an IB Grad, but I got Creativity hours from anything that required planning. I also picked up a new instrument and "logged" my practice on it (I didn't take a class). Those are just some ideas. The whole concept of CAS is sort of vague, so sometimes schools have their own parameters, so watch out for that.</p>
<p>I've also known people who got CAS "creativity" hours for helping to direct school plays/musicals, organizing a school band, creating artwork (like murals) for school walls, etc. You definitely need to check with the CAS coordinator at your son's school in case they have any particular requirements.</p>
<p>IB grad here as well.</p>
<p>At my school anyway, the requirements for "creativity" were pretty lax. A lot of things could qualify, from performing arts activities, fine arts, tutoring (creating lesson plans), organizing fundraisers, planning an event, etc. As other posters said, be sure to check in with your school's IB coordinator as sometimes they may have more strict requirements.</p>
<p>S2 plans to continue working on set crew to earn his hours. He will also earn some from his CIT work at a local camp.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I guess part of the creativity is coming up with the ideas and making them fit someone else's idea of what is creative. S is pretty creative so he can handle that requirement. I was just curious. He is teaching himself bass guitar and has a group with his friends. He might also take a class or two at the Apple Store on Garage Band or one of their other creative programs.</p>
<p>Sounds like you are on the right track. I teach in an IB school, and it is my understanding that CAS needs to be NOT a class that students take in their HS. I believe it can be a class outside of school, though.</p>
<p>I think my problem was with the MYP coordinator. Two years ago when I was volunteering in her office, we were discussing the new requirements for the 6-10th graders who were to complete 15 hours of CAS. I suggested that my S who is a writer write a review of a play that was being done by a professional company and submit it to the city newspaper which prints student articles. I thought that it would accomplish several goals including getting positive publicity for our school. She said it was not acceptable because the theater company was doing the creative work. I guess that she doesn't think writing is creative! Hopefully, our diploma CAS coordinator will allow him to be a little more creative than her idea of paying for art and dance classes.</p>