Senior Capstone Project – Strand Descriptions

Service-Oriented Strand

Students choosing this strand will devote a minimum of 40 hours toward a community service project.  For instance, students may develop and implement a unique promotion for raising funds for the local food bank; a community clean-up effort of a public area such as a park, beach or school; a field-trip or seminar of interest for members of an elderly home; a clothing drive for a homeless shelter; or perhaps even begin their own non-profit to address an unmet community need.

Self-Development Strand

Students choosing this strand will spend a minimum of 40 hours working to develop a new skill and demonstrate it; to construct or to create something they have never had the skill base or knowledge to do before.  For instance, students could design and build a model of a physical product such a park or building; perform or produce a play they have written or choreographed; develop a technology or mechanically-based idea for actual use; write a computer program for practical application; write, edit and produce a video; organize a major public event; or begin a business.

Career-Exploration Strand

Students who choose this strand will complete an internship, of a minimum of 40 hours, in the career field the student intends to pursue after high school. Students will begin by researching a career area of interest. After identifying a career area of interest, the student will research and identify a local company or organization that will sponsor them for internship. If the student is unable to identify a company or organization, the Capstone Administrator will attempt to assist with this search effort.

Proposal

Senior Capstone Project – Proposal Format

Your street address

City, State, Zip Code

Date

Capstone Administrator

AllPrep Academies & Early Colleges

8800 SE Sunnyside Road, Suite 300N

Clackamas, OR 97015

Dear Capstone Administrator:

In this paragraph, describe the general area of interest for your project (step 1 of page 5 above) and why you are interested in this area. Next describe the process you went through for narrowing the subject area to a specific topic (step 3 of page 5 above). Why does this topic interest you? 

Begin this paragraph with a transitional sentence showing the relationship between your subject/topic and the actual proposed project. Then describe your project. Give it a name that can we can all use as a reference.  What project strand did you select and why? Describe what project will be, what it will entail, who’s involved, potential costs, potential time spent, and possible resources you will utilize. If you are proposing a community service or internship, identify what organization or company you will be working with.

In this paragraph, describe what you already know, your experience that may apply, or areas of accomplishment that may be relevant, etc. Explain why this proposed project will be a stretch for you. Describe what areas you are not familiar with and what skills and knowledge you expect to acquire and how you expect to acquire them.

In this paragraph, describe how the proposed project connects to your post-high school endeavors. Discuss briefly what impact you anticipate this project may have on you or your community.

Sincerely,

Your signature goes here

Type your full name

Senior – Student,

List the name of the school you are attending

Enclosures (3)

Note: The enclosures you will need to include with your Proposal are the; Senior Capstone Project Synopsis, Senior Capstone Project Parent/Guardian Consent/Liability Release Form and the Senior Capstone Advisor Commitment Form. These forms are provided below.

Senior Capstone Project – Synopsis

Contact Information

Student Name:

Student Address:

Phone Number:    Email:  

Parent/Guardian:

Parent Phone:    Email:  

School Attending:

Senior Capstone Project

Project Name:

Subject:

Topic:

Senior Capstone Project Strand

Service-Oriented

Organization Name:

Organization Address:

Organization Phone:

Career-Exploration

Company Name:

Company Address:

Company Phone:

Self-Development

Project Approved   Date:  

Capstone Administrator

Project Approved with the following modification:

Project Denied – Please contact Capstone Administrator

Senior Capstone Project -

Parent/Guardian Consent/Liability Release Form

To the parents/Guardians of :

You son/daughter is about to embark upon an exciting educational journey! The Senior Capstone Project will provide enormous benefits for your child now and for the future. Successful completion of the Senior Capstone Project is a valuable tool in determining their mastery of the educational content they have learned over the past 12 years, as well as providing them the opportunity to learn and practice critical 21st century skill that they will need for their future endeavors.

Please take some time to discuss the project with your child, and initial each of the items below indicating that you have read, and approve each.

I approve of my child’s selected Senior Capstone Project.

I acknowledge that the intent of the Senior Capstone Project is to stretch my child to learn and demonstrate new skills and/or knowledge. I agree that my child’s Capstone project will achieve this goal.

I understand that some of the work required to complete the Senior Capstone Project will be completed outside of normal school hours.

I understand that all transportation for work related to the Senior Capstone Project is the responsibility of the student or parent.

I understand that all costs and risks associated with the Senior Capstone Project are the responsibility of the student or parent.

I understand that my student will be required to keep an activity log that outlines time spent on major tasks of the Senior Capstone Project.

I understand that integrity and honesty are just as important as all other aspects of the Senior Capstone Project. Any suspicion that my child has plagiarized or has been dishonest in any aspect of the Senior Capstone Project process may result in a referral to the Capstone Administrator or other school administration.

I understand that the school, State, and their agents are not responsible for any potential risks resulting from the Senior Capstone Project. Accordingly, I release (the School), the State Department of Education and their agents from all claims arising from any financial obligation incurred, and damage, injury, or accident suffered while my child participates in the Senior Capstone Project.

Parent/Guardian’s Name (Print)

Parent/Guardian’s Signature

Date:

Senior Capstone Project –

Advisor & Parent/Guardian Guidelines

Each student will select a Capstone Advisor who can advise and assist throughout the Capstone experience.

A Capstone Advisor should be:

•A person who is knowledgeable/experienced in the subject area of your Capstone,

•A person who is willing to assist and advise you in the Capstone process,

•A person you can have regular contact with for a short period of time, either face-to-face or via other synchronous means such as telephone, email, web conference, etc. ,

•A person who will give you constructive feedback and will challenge you to think “outside the box”, and

•An adult, no longer in high school, who will encourage you.

 

One goal of the Capstone is to encourage the student to meet and interact with new people and members of their community.  The student is also encouraged to stretch and grow while working on the Capstone.  Part of that growth comes from interacting and working with another adult in the community.  Therefore, a Capstone Advisor cannot be a member of your immediate family. 

Family members are, however, encouraged to assist the student in the following ways:

 

•Assist the student in thinking creatively about the Capstone selection process and how it best aligns with their experience, skills and expertise,

•Approve by signature your agreement of the Capstone selection

•Complete the Senior Capstone Project Parent/Guardian Consent/Liability Release Form

•Encourage students to stay organized, meet deadlines and ask for help when necessary.

•Supervise the “stretch” of the Capstone by giving support for new experiences and help the student to think creatively about how to overcome challenges.

•Review the Reflection Paper and Presentation Guidelines with your child.

•Remind the student that this project is supposed to be FUN and be relevant to their future endeavors!

Senior Capstone Project – Advisor Commitment Form

Student Name:

School Attending:

Capstone Advisor Information

Name:

Address:

Phone Number:    Email:  

Qualifications:

Briefly describe how you discovered this Capstone Advisor and how you think he/she can best help you with your senior capstone project:

CAPSTONE ADVISOR AGREEMENT

I understand and accept the responsibilities of advising this student during his/her work on the Senior Capstone Project.

   

Capstone Advisor    Date