The Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS components of the IB Diploma explained
The Extended Essay (EE)
As part of the IB diploma program students write a 4,000 word (15 pages) Extended Essay, a requirement for the diploma which is unique to IB. Students determine for themselves the topic of their essay and then work on it over the course of their second and third semesters in the program. The writing components in other IB courses provide students at Champlain St-Lambert with an opportunity to develop and hone their writing skills. Once students select a extended essay topic, they are assigned an advisor who works with them until the extended essay is completed. When the extended essay is completed it is sent to an external examiner who is appointed by the examinations office in Cardiff , Wales.
Over the past 12 years extended essays written by students at Champlain, St-Lambert have been sent to examiners in England, France, Greece, Holland, Singapore, Thailand, India, and Japan, to name but a few countries.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
The Theory of Knowledge course at Champlain, St-Lambert challenges students to reflect critically on the different ways of knowing which human beings have developed and on the various areas of knowledge human beings have created.
TOK also engages students in a reflection on the social, political, cultural and ethical implications of knowledge and on the responsibility the individual knower has in pursuing and using knowledge in an increasingly interconnected world. TOK encourages students to become aware of themselves as thinkers and knowers and to better understand the complexity of knowledge. Special attention is devoted to developing the student's ability to think clearly, logically and critically as well as to assess situations from an ethical point of view.
TOK is unique to the IB diploma program and is unlike any other course the student is likely to take during his/her College career.
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
As part of the IB diploma program students spend 150 hours over the two years of the program in various undertakings involving creativity, activity and service (50 hours for each component). Unlike the CAS requirement offered as part of the MYPIB program, the structure of the CAS component at Champlain St-Lambert is flexible. Students determine for themselves which activities they will undertake as part of their CAS work and they can complete the CAS requirement in a variety of ways, for example by spending 3 hours a week during the four semesters of the program, or by spending more hours on CAS over a shorter period of time (for example, during the Christmas holidays or the summer break).
Over the past 12 years students at Champlain, St-Lambert have, in many cases, chosen to continue activities that they enjoyed while they were in high school. Other students used CAS as an opportunity to explore something new – something they might otherwise never have done.
Champlain, St-Lambert considers CAS to be a major learning component of the IB diploma program. Its presence is what sets the IB diploma apart from and enriched subject option that can be added into any curriculum.
Here are some of the CAS projects in which students at Champlain, St-Lambert have been involved:
- Creativity: Photography, Music composition, Afro-Caribbean Folk Dancing, Marching Band, Sculpture, Drawing
- Activity: Horseback riding, Figure/precision skating, Aerobic Training, Jogging, Cycling, Soccer
- Service: Volunteer work in a retirement home, CJAD Safe Halloween, Tutoring adults, Fundraising for World Vision
In 2002, the International Baccalaureate North America office in New York completed an independent review of the CAS program at Champlain St-Lambert. Their findings? The CAS program at Champlain, St-Lambert is well organized. Proposals submitted by students were an effective way to help students complete the CAS component of the IB diploma. The school has an excellent CAS program.
