As part of Niwot High School’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, students are required to fulfill three core elements designed to enhance their education. One of these elements is the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) project, which involves a series of experiences and a larger project focused on various aspects of personal development and community involvement. The three CAS components are completed alongside regular schoolwork and exams throughout the 18-month duration of the course. Elizabeth Marr recently became the first IB student in the class of 2024 to complete her CAS project by organizing a craft day for patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Elizabeth’s decision to conduct her project at the hospital was inspired by her own four-year experience as a patient there. In 2019, she began treatment for a burn injury and found comfort in doing crafts and coloring. “When I was a patient, arts and crafts were something that I really enjoyed, and I wanted to bring this hobby to other patients in the hospital,” shared Elizabeth. “My goal is to give patients a break from the monotony of their care and spread joy.”
At the craft day event, Elizabeth led a paint-resist jar project. “You place tape over a glass jar, paint the jar, and then take the tape off. The places that had the tape are left with just glass,” said Elizabeth. “We used syringe barrels to hold the paint, which I think helps make hospital items a little less scary and more fun.” Approximately 15 children, along with several families and teachers, participated in person, and several others took projects home to complete. “The craft day was super fun, and I think it went well overall,” expressed Elizabeth. “It provided a much-needed break from their treatment, and many kids asked me if I could come back and do more crafts with them. I think art in general is very therapeutic.”
The project taught Elizabeth the importance of staying organized and being prepared. “I created a detailed list of the steps for the craft and the materials that I would need,” shared Elizabeth. “I also learned the importance of communicating with my supervisor and other patients. I had to slow down and explain the steps of the craft a few times. Ensuring that I was clear and concise was important for relaying information to the patients.”
Elzbieta Towlen, the I.B. Coordinator at Niwot, praised Elizabeth’s efforts, stating, “Elizabeth provided a much-needed service and relief to our community members who needed assistance. As a Niwot student, she exemplified the impact our IB Diploma Candidates have in their communities as they strive to make the world a better place, which is at the heart of IB’s education and mission.”
This wasn’t Elizabeth’s first experience volunteering at Children’s Hospital Colorado. When she was a patient, her Child Life Specialist encouraged her to take her talents to Seacrest Studios, a media center and television studio that provides entertainment, education, and fun to pediatric patients and their families during their hospital stay. Subsequently, she has been recording episodes of Elizabeth’s Craft Corner twice a month for the hospital’s closed-circuit channel, which is broadcast to multiple medical campuses across Colorado.
Through her show, patients have the opportunity to participate in projects by following her instructional videos and utilizing the provided craft kits. Volunteering has provided Elizabeth with insights into hospital operations and allowed her to offer support to others. During her show, she guides children through activities specifically designed to address their fears in an effort to make medical supplies and hospital visits seem less intimidating. Additionally, she coordinates special events like proms for long-term care patients and engages in meaningful conversations with burn victims.
As Elizabeth continues to make a difference through her volunteer efforts, her impact extends beyond the craft room. Her dedication to bringing joy and comfort to pediatric patients reflects the values instilled in students of Niwot’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While Elizabeth was the first student to complete a CAS project this year, six other students have since finished theirs, and staff will be conducting additional exit interviews weekly as more students finalize their portfolios.
For IB students, the CAS project is an opportunity to immerse themselves in real-world challenges, contribute meaningfully to their community, and acquire invaluable skills. “The primary purpose of the CAS project is to ensure participation in sustained collaboration,” said Towlen. “Through this level of engagement, students may discover the benefits of teamwork and of achievements realized through an exchange of ideas and abilities. A CAS project challenges students to show initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop skills such as cooperation, problem-solving, and decision-making.”