Celebrating Student Growth through CAS and Service Portfolio Projects

by Jasmin Wandell

Celebrating Student Growth through CAS  and Service Portfolio Projects

The Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) and Service Portfolio projects foster the development of the whole person. Through sustained collaboration and exploration of globally significant issues, students gain a deeper awareness of the benefits of teamwork and what can be accomplished through meaningful, reciprocal relationships. Here is a closer look at how CAS helps students grow. 

Problem-Solving & Resilience 

These projects provide students with opportunities to tackle real-world challenges and develop valuable, transferable skills. During the investigation and preparation stages, students hone their active listening skills, collaboratively exploring their interests, abilities, and areas for growth to decide on a project focus. For example, the YIS Haunted House Project team created a mood board to develop a shared vision, presenting it to the community and conducting surveys to select a popular theme. Throughout this process, students demonstrated creativity, communication, and research skills, ensuring their solution met community interests.

Building Empathy & Social Awareness

CAS and Service Portfolio projects encourage students to take action within their school or wider community This involves connecting with diverse groups and encourages students to understand different perspectives. Service-based projects, in particular, provide students with the opportunity to explore a genuine need and the ethical considerations of working with community partners, fostering empathy and a stronger sense of social responsibility. 

Members of the ‘Raising Awareness on Mental Health Through Social Media’ Project developed a deeper understanding of the community in order to take meaningful action. They interviewed community members and analyzed the responses to provide a relevant and helpful resource. 

Fostering Independence & Initiative 

Students are encouraged to pursue personal interests, leading their projects from start to finish. Utilizing the five CAS stages to guide their process students practice self-management skills - setting goals, planning timelines, implementing their plans and monitoring progress. This process was highlighted through the learning documented by the members of the ‘Collaborative Kamakura Trip’ Project. A group of five identified a shared interest for travel and set about researching places of interest and accessibility, creating itineraries, and reflecting on whether or not the trip met their original purpose. Their learning highlighted a greater awareness of their individual skill sets and what can be achieved through effective collaboration is greater than the sum. 

Strengthening Collaboration & Communication

The sustained collaboration required for the CAS and Service Portfolio project is an opportunity to learn among other things about cooperation, leadership, delegation and respect. At each stage, as students investigate, prepare, take action and reflect, they are doing so by listening to differing perspectives, taking on roles and responsibilities, compromising and adapting. 

The ‘Smoking YIS Teachers’ project members showcased these skills in the event planning and management of a student vs teacher Basketball tournament. Students coordinated the coaching of the student teams, the sign-up for the teacher team and managing the logistics of dates and court availability. 

Encouraging Reflection & Self-Awareness 

Reflection is an essential aspect of the CAS and Service Portfolio project. Through reflection, students are able to build on their prior knowledge, deepen their learning and improve self-awareness. This ongoing process of self-assessment is invaluable for personal and academic development.

The members of the Live, Learn, Lead, Kyoto project group demonstrated the power of reflection in action. The members utilized reflective practice throughout the 5 CAS stages to adapt and improve their experience as they engaged in it. Through reflection, they were able to problem-solve budgeting challenges, adapt their plan when unforeseen obstacles arose, and appreciate the skills and talents the members contributed to the project.

Cultivating Creativity and Curiosity

CAS encourages students to pursue creative endeavours, sparking curiosity and innovation. Whether exploring art, sports, or service, they learn to think outside the box. This creativity builds confidence and a love for lifelong learning.

The “Creating an Entrepreneurship Club to support mental health in Japan” project is an example of what is possible when creativity is cultivated. This group founded their funding on a creative approach. They linked their purpose for funding to their product and created candles with self-affirming quotes. Their creativity permeated all aspects of their project from branding through to the selling. 

The CAS and Service Portfolio projects support the holistic development of the whole person. They are student led projects that allow them to explore their passions and deepen their learning. Through CAS and Service Portfolio projects students connect with real world contexts creating meaningful community connections that benefit all stakeholders.  These projects provide students with an authentic opportunity to Live, Learn, and Lead