CAS for maths lovers

Safety and ethics for maths CAS

Good intentions are not enough. Before any CAS experience, check it with your CAS coordinator and follow your school's policies. These are the questions maths CAS ideas most often raise.

Working with children or vulnerable adults

  • Arrange everything through your school or the partner organisation, never directly.
  • A responsible adult must be present; never be alone with a child.
  • Use school or organisation channels for any contact; no personal phone numbers or social media.
  • Follow both organisations' safeguarding rules and report any concern to a member of staff.

Data, surveys and privacy

  • Collect only what you need, and nothing that identifies a person unless there is a clear reason and permission.
  • Ask organisations to anonymise records before you see them.
  • Tell survey respondents what the survey is for and how answers will be used; get consent (and parental consent for under-18s, through the school).
  • Store files only where agreed, and delete them when the project ends.
  • Report findings honestly, including uncertainty and what the data cannot show.

Money

  • Any money raised goes through the school or the charity, handled by an adult, with receipts.
  • Be careful with games of chance at events: check the rules, and do not run gambling-style games for under-18s.

Online work and publishing

  • Use school-approved platforms.
  • Get permission before publishing anyone's image, name or work.
  • Collect no personal data in apps or websites you build, unless your school has approved it.

Physical activity

  • Agree routes, venues and supervision with staff; follow any risk assessment.
  • Warm up, build up gradually, use the right equipment and know the first-aid arrangements.
  • Go in pairs or groups outdoors and tell someone your plans.

Copyright and originality

  • Write your own puzzles, questions and examples.
  • Do not copy or share exam papers or mark schemes; link to official copies if you mention them.
  • Credit any images, music or code you use, and use only what you have the right to use.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need permission to run a survey for CAS?

Yes. Agree it with your CAS coordinator, tell respondents how answers will be used, keep them anonymous, and arrange consent for under-18s through the school.

Can I tutor younger students on my own?

Only within your school's safeguarding rules: arranged through the school, in a supervised space, with no private contact.

More for CAS: Evidence and reflection · Planning a CAS project · all 67 ideas

IB Math Revision is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the IB. Requirement summaries are our own words; for the official requirements see the IB's CAS page and ask your school's CAS coordinator.