Senior Capstone

A mid-year project for Wunsche seniors, allowing them to demonstrate their

accomplishments in Career and Technical Education. This project is an assessment of

your ability to design and participate in a multi-phased, research-based learning process, while preparing for your future in higher education,

technical institutions, or the workforce.

What do CWHS Alumni tell us about Capstone?

“Researching a topic is the first thing you will be expected to do at work or in college - I already knew what to do – I actually helped my classmates.”

“My employer asked me to research a new product – “I got this!”

“Thanks for making me do this, I would have been lost in college without it!”

5 Elements of the Capstone

•Proposal•Project•Paper•Process•Presentation

How Do I Choose A Topic and turn it in to a

Proposal?

Choosing a TopicThe topic will: – reflect the student’s particular interests and goals

in their chosen career pathway – be timely and creative and real-world– be based on a NEW TREND/PROCESS, a

NEED/PRODUCT, or a PROBLEM/SOLUTION

VS.

The Wider ViewMoving from a topic to a proposal involves developing a “wider view”. This means using your skills and knowledge to go from just learning about a topic; to figuring out the issues and how you can make a difference. 

Two questions you need to answer in Capstone:

•Who is affected by the trend/problem/need I am addressing?

•How will my process/solution/product benefit those who are affected?

Topic/ Research Proposals

Sample Proposal Topics

•Design a solution for housing built on a sloping site. (architecture)•Create a public service broadcast or event to reduce teen auto accidents (radio/TV broadcasting)•Conduct a survey of patients on common cold remedies and publish your results (medicine)•Design a new informational packet about a specific topic: smoking, high blood pressure autism etc. (media graphics, education)

More Proposals• Experiment with safe solutions to fire ants. (horticulture)• Write an appeal to the court on a case with local

significance. (law)• Find a solution to keeping flowers fresh longer

(horticulture)• Design a set of architectural blueprints for – multi-family

housing following a disaster. (architecture, engineering)• Create a photo journal of steps to learning a new skill or

process (engineering)• Design an animated character to address a topic

(animation, education)

Even More Proposals!

• Research a solution for multi-functional technical devices. (technology)

• Research and design a new product – show your entrepreneurial spirit. (business, etc)

• Develop a business plan for a start up company or new product.(marketing, banking & finance)

• Research and design a menu for a restaurant with nutritional information or a blueprint for the facility (graphic arts, culinary, architecture)

• Research and design a simple Will for students (law)• Research herbal cures for a common problem(pharmacy)

The Project• The project is the outcome of your research– A new trend and the process– A problem and the solution– A need and the product

Remember to answer the two “Wider Questions”

•Who is affected by the trend/problem/need I am addressing?

•How will my process/solution/product benefit those who are affected?

The Interview – Ask an Expert

The Interview

• Why do we interview people?– To learn more about your proposal

• Who can we interview?– Business partners, industry professionals, professors,

public officials• How do we get in touch with them?– Phone and your personal email address

• What do we ask them?– Information about their role and information about

your proposal.

The Annotated Bibliography

• What is an Annotated Bibliography?– A list of your sources with a summary of the

material• What is the advantage?– When you summarize your sources it helps you to

write your research without plagiarizing or copying from the source.

• What does it need to include?– At least 5 sources and your interview

The Research Paper

Research Paper Basic Requirements

• Minimum of five (5) sources, plus at least one personal interview.

• Proficient level of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage.

• In-text and/or parenthetical documentation• Title page and a works cited page according to

MLA format.• Five to eight (5-8) pages in length, not including

the title page, and works cited page.

Plagiarism

• Plagiarism is the use of someone else's work and claiming it as your own.

• Plagiarism is stealing the effort, ideas, or work of someone else and reporting it as if you are the original author.

• To avoid plagiarism, summarize your resources and always give credit when you quote directly from a source.

Grading

Capstone Grades are earned in either your CTE Class or English/Humanities or Both.

See the Timeline for more information on how grades are earned in CTE or English.

English 4, 4H, or 4AP or Humanities AND

CTE Class

Presentation Information

The Presentation Basic Requirements

• Appropriate Dress/appearance• Presentation geared to Business Partners• 2 Visual Aids (no more than 3 minutes if using

any videos). Only one visual aid may be a video(s).

• Correct Grammar and Spelling• Appropriate Presentation Skills• 10-12 Minutes in Length

The Capstone Process

• The Capstone Process is a series of assignments that are due from December 12, 2014 to April 16, 2015

• The Timeline gives you the dates and assignments that are due

• The Capstone Rubrics and Completion forms give you the information you need to include

Capstone Scholarships!

Most Outstanding Capstone Projects

$1000 in eachProfessional AcademyTechnology Academy

Medical Academy

MOST OUTSTANDING CAPSTONE PROJECT OVERALL for CWHS

$1500.00Be sure to apply!

Project TimelineStay on track – it’s easy!

Graduation

May 2015