Curiositas, Civitas and Conatus

Curiositas

Based on the Latin word for curiosity and inquisitiveness, this element aims to foster an intellectual interest in the world that extends beyond your chosen academic subjects and to develop an appreciation that knowledge has in itself an inherent value. The more we know and understand about the world, the better prepared we are to change it.

To fulfil the Curiositas element, you must meet one of the following:Completion of the EPQCompletion of the EE/IA as part of the IBCompletion of a 1,500 word essay on a subject of your choice*

*Essay titles must be submitted in advance to Mr Lacey for approval. Essay titles should take the form of a question and should involve the investigation and research of a particular area. They may challenge a conventional view, re-evaluate a theory, event or person, or consider something in a new or different light, ultimately showing original and independent thinking. The shorter 1,500 word essays should be researched, written and referenced to the same academic standard and rigour as an EPQ or piece of A Level Coursework. Essays which do not meet the required standard, will not meet the criteria.

Civitas

The Civitas element aims to instil the value of commitment to a cause beyond yourself. Based on the Latin word for citizenship, common purpose and having a shared responsibility, it aims to nurture the importance of service to our community by giving time to a cause at a school, local or national level. Dedicating time to helping others not only helps us develop but is also shown to improve our sense of well being.

To fulfil the Civitas element you must meet one of the following:Completion of 15 hours of volunteering at a charity or organisation*Completion of the volunteering element of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh AwardCompletion of a service project as part of the IB CASUndertaking a role as Mentor to the Senior SchoolUndertaking a role as a Foreign Language LeaderUndertaking a role as a Sports LeaderUndertaking a role as a Sixth Form Prefect

To successfully meet the Civitas Criteria, evidence must be provided that you fulfilled the necessary time quotient of 15 hours and that in the time committed you fulfilled your role to the expected standard. Evidence of the hours committed and your performance should be sought from either a teacher if the role is within school or from a supervisor if the volunteering is outside school.

*Work experience at a business does not satisfy the Civitas criteria; the spirit of this element lies in service to a greater good and in helping others.

Conatus

The Conatus element requires you to challenge yourself, to push yourself outside your comfort zone and attempt something you have never achieved before. Based on the Latin word for striving, effort and endeavour, it requires you to set yourself a goal and attempt something difficult. The Conatus element aims to develop your perseverance and resilience.

The nature of the challenge is up to you: it does not have to be physical or academic. Your choice of challenge will need to be pre-approved, but below are some ideas of a goal you could set yourself.

To fulfil the Conatus element you should aim to achieve one of the following:Completion of a physical challenge (running a 10k or half marathon)Completion of the physical or skills element of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh AwardOrganising a fund raising event for a specific charitySetting up and running a school club successfullyTaking part in the Model United NationsEntering a competition (speaking, writing, creative)Organising an event in schoolProducing the School NewspaperCompletion of an activity project as part of the IB CAS

While you are expected to make every effort to complete your challenge and achieve your goal, it is not a necessity to do so to fulfil the Conatus criteria. The spirit of this element is that you attempt something that is genuinely challenging to you and fully strive to complete it. Even if you do not successfully complete your challenge, but can illustrate, through reflection and self-evaluation, what you have learnt from the experience and how you have developed through the process, you will fulfil the criteria.

If there is something you would like to be considered in order to obtain the award, but is not included in the criteria for the three elements below, please speak to Mr Lacey.