Transcript Preparing Our Students for the Global Workplace

The Lion’s Share
Senior Capstone
Project
The What, the Who, and the How
The 4 P’s of the Senior Capstone Project
1. PAPER
2. PROJECT
3. PORTFOLIO
4. PRESENTATION
1. PAPER
Seniors select an approved topic and
write a research paper; successful
completion is required for graduation.
During this phase, the skills applied
include things such as knowledge
acquisition, information literacy,
validation, credibility and variety of
sources, sorting, and selecting
appropriate information, writing skills,
research skills. Because students
choose their own topics, Senior
Project papers are as diverse as the
students’ interests (e.g., censorship in
public education, effective online
marketing strategies, robotic
prosthetics, effective solutions related
to the homeless).
2. PROJECT
During the project phase, students apply
the knowledge gained during their
research by defining, designing, and
producing a related project (e.g., the
student studying aspects of marine
pollution does an independent research
project related to the impact of plastic
pollution on local coastal waters).
Because the projects must reflect a
learning stretch, this phase of the
Senior Project process offers students
a unique blend of real-world
experiences combined with the
knowledge and skills learned in school.
The project phase’s ‘learning stretch’
requires a golden ratio of challenge and
ability, hands-on learning in a real-world
context. Though success is probable, it
cannot be guaranteed. Student
application of skills, the quest for
quality, and the ability to apply and use
appropriate information, as well as the
demonstration of time management,
problem solving, effective
communication, and perseverance are
key characteristics impacting the
senior’s success.
3. PORTFOLIO
Before the judges listen to a senior’s
presentation, they preview the
senior’s portfolio, a collection of
process pieces as well as the final
showcase of the student’s
completed Senior Project work.
While the portfolio is used by the
judges to help guide their
questioning, it is also often a valued
document that students take as
they exit high school.
Comprehensive Senior Project
portfolios contain models that can
be used in the job and college
application process, i.e., resumes,
letter of introduction, selfevaluations.
4. PRESENTATION
The final phase, the Senior Boards,
requires seniors to formally
speak to a board of judges from
both the staff and the
community. The formal speech
is followed by an informal
question and answer session
guided by the judges. Seniors
must not only demonstrate
knowledge of the chosen
subject but also show
competent speaking skills and
an ability to think on their feet.
Selecting a Senior Capstone Project
SLC
Family
My Senior
Project
Friends
Interests
Job
Mentor
Four Year Progression
FRESHMAN
SOPHOMORE
Intro to
Senior
Project
Continue
Portfolio
Development
Begin
Portfolio
Development
Begin List of
Possible
Projects
JUNIOR
Meet with
SLC Mentor
to Shorten
List
Sharpen
Portfolio
SENIOR
Submit
Project for
Approval
•Paper
•Project
•Portfolio
•Presentation
Timeline
2009
VOLUNTEER
SENIORS
WILL
PARTICIPATE
IN PILOT
PROGRAM
2010
PILOT
CONTINUES
2011
PILOT
CONTINUES
2012
The LION’S
SHARE SENIOR
CAPSTONE
PROJECT
BECOMES A
PRESCRIBED
MVHS
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENT
Our Senior Capstone Project will
showcase not only what students
know, but more importantly, what
they can do in a rigorous and
relevant educational setting