NHS' International Baccalaureate Programme South Asian culture CAS project

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a rigorous academic program offered to students at Niwot High School. The International Baccalaureate website states that the Diploma Programme "aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge-students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically."

Students in the program take college level coursework, while completing an extended research paper as well as participating in "CAS" (creativity, activity, and service).

These three strands cover a wide range of activities, ranging from exploring and expressing oneself through a wide range of creative endeavors such as visual arts, to promoting physical health and well-being through participation in sports and physical fitness activities, to community engagement and social responsibility through volunteer work, service projects, and other forms of community service.

Each diploma student, along with completing and reflecting on weekly CAS experiences, undertakes a CAS project, a project designed by the student to show initiative in at least one of the three strands. The CAS project is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate leadership in their communities and to explore personal interests.

Although CAS projects must fall into at least one of the strands, many students often pursue projects under two or even all three strands. Examples of previous projects include organizing and running a youth sports camp (activity and service), food, clothes, and book drives (service), fundraising campaigns for numerous organizations, such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (service), cooking (creativity), and running various creative camps for youth (creativity and service). Students must engage in their CAS project for at least one month, but on average, students at Niwot pursue projects that last 3-4 months, from initiative to completion.

One current project that stands out is a South Asian Cultural Event, a creativity and service event which has been planned by Neharika Bhandari, a junior at Niwot High School. Bhandari, who is Nepalese, created the event to educate people about the cultures of South Asia and bring awareness to the vibrant diversity of South Asian countries. Bhandari said, "I wanted to make an event where people from other cultures come and appreciate our culture as much as we respect theirs."

The event will feature South Asian food and performances. Bhandari ultimately aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and create a welcoming environment for all members of the community. She is passionate about promoting cultural awareness and fostering inclusivity, and hopes to be able to share her own culture as well as give a voice to members of the community to share their own cultures.

Bhandari said, "I came up with this idea when I went to a Nepali event and only saw Nepali people around. I wanted to make an event where people from other cultures come and appreciate our culture as much as we respect theirs."

The South Asian Cultural Event will occur on Saturday, April 20 at 5:00 p.m. at the Boulder Elks Lodge at 3975 28th Street in Boulder. The $5 entry fee will fund the event and remaining proceeds will then be donated to charity. Although Bhandari has not yet decided which charity to fund, she hopes that her donation will make a positive impact on the lives of many.