Demonstration of a DP CAS Project

A creat ive engagement of students in the IB Diploma Programme is an experiential Creativity, Activity, and/or Service learning project. This authentic project-based-learning experience is one that best shows the stages of investigation, collaboration, preparation, action and demonstration.

Wooden Shoe Rack Project – Door Step School

By: Alexander Daleman, DP2

For my CAS project, I wanted to contribute something of practical use and decided to use my woodwork skills to build three wooden shoe racks for the Door Step School, one of our MBIS outreach schools. Following a structured procedural plan seemed to be the best strategy to kick start my project. The first step was to find, and decide on, a design that was good and suitable for children of young ages. After combining some designs I found, with my own ideas, I made some sketches of the final design I planned to use. This was one of the more challenging experiences of my project as I am not that good at designing and sketching. I then compiled a list of materials (wood, screws, wood glue, sandpaper, paint and paintbrushes) and tools (tape measure, set square, drill, bench saw, screwdriver) that I would need to build a “prototype” to test the success of the design. Luckily, we already had the tools and I only had to buy the materials. The prototype was a success and ended up being used in my own room. For the three shoe racks destined for the Door Step School, I used recycled wood given to me by an acquaintance who had no need for a big wooden bookshelf anymore. After dismantling the shelves, I had ample wood and proceeded to build my three shoe racks.  The completed shoe racks were sanded down and then I painted them in different bright colors. I wanted children from the Door Step School to be involved in the decorating of the painted shoe racks to make them feel part of the process of creating something they are going to use. With the help of Ms Maya, the collaboration effort was organized and a few of the children joined me to decorate the shoe racks on a Wednesday afternoon at school. They painted patterns, flowers and various symbols on the shoe racks and really seemed to enjoy the creative afternoon. It was a very positive experience for me to be part of such an afternoon and I hope they remember the fun afternoon when they use the shoe racks at their school.