Capstone Project: Overview

Capstone Project - The Final Piece of a CIM

The Capstone Project allows you to demonstrate your skills as an independent learner while investigating a specialized area of interest. The Capstone Project focuses on a topic you have initiated and activities you choose that may include outside experts and an external audience. Because it is your project, the Capstone includes substantial work outside of school hours and requires you to demonstrate habits that are part of the world of work. As much as possible, the Capstone Project attempts to parallel the kind of learning and application we do when we solve real life problems. 

As the culmination of achieving a Certificate of Initial Mastery (CIM), the Capstone Project requires you to focus in-depth on a core question you choose. The Capstone Project is included in your CIM Portfolio and plays an essential part in demonstrating that you can meet both applied learning standards and content standards. 

There are four applied learning standards that you must meet in the Capstone Project. These are:

  • Problem solving, (This A1 standard is the core of your Capstone Project) 
  • Using communication tools and techniques, 
  • Using information tools and techniques, and 
  • Applying self-management. 
You choose how to meet these standards through your Capstone Project.

In addition to the applied learning standards, you must also demonstrate competency in at least one content area. In the Capstone Project, you have the chance to choose content and performance standards in one or more areas to provide the focus of your applied learning.

The Capstone Project begins with your interest in exploring a question through in-depth learning. Then, you must organize and plan how to find answers to your question. Throughout the process a project advisor will guide you. Once the project is completed, you will present your results to a judging committee. 
 

Core Question - The Heart of a Capstone

The first step in creating a Capstone Project asks you to identify a core question. Core questions arise out of your interests and should lead you to applied problem solving. Applied problem solving includes:
 
  • Designing a product, service or system

    •  Identify needs that could be met by new products, services, or systems and create solutions for meeting them;
     
  • Improving a system

    •  Develop an understanding of the way systems of people, machines, and processes work; trouble shoot problems in their operation and devise strategies for improving their effectiveness; or
     
  • Planning and organizing an event or activity

    •  Take responsibility for all aspects of planning and organizing an event or activity from concept to completion, making good use of the resources of people, time, money, materials and facilities.


The core question should be open-ended and exploratory. It is a path to knowledge, which allows you to acquire knowledge and use that knowledge to solve problems. Your core question should focus on applied learning and works best when it is rooted in real-world issues. Your core question will lead you to the creation of an identifiable product that can be judged for how well it meets the applied learning and content standards you have chosen.
 

Capstone Product - The What of a Capstone

Your Capstone Project provides you with a forum for analyzing, synthesizing, and implementing the skills and knowledge that you have gained throughout your education. Your Capstone Project is an opportunity to think critically about a subject of profound interest to you. Your Capstone Project will demonstrate that you have mastered a content area and can apply what you have learned to create a tangible product or service. Some examples are:

Examples of Design a Product, Service, or System, A1a

  • Design a business plan, for example, a publication of a magazine for a student venture.
  • Design a plan for development for a park or recreation area.
  • Investigate an issue (social, political, scientific, moral/ethical, artistic) and propose possible solutions.
  • Design a tutoring program for a software application.
Examples of Improve a System, A1b
  • Improve the system for water treatment in a community.
  • Design a curriculum unit to address a gap or a problem you’ve identified.
  • Identify a problem within the structure of student government and make a proposed solution.
  • Troubleshoot and repair faults in the operation of an automobile, mechanical device, or computer based system.
Examples of Plan and Organize an Event or an Activity, A1c
  • Plan and organize a voter registration drive within the school or community.
  • Arrange a series of career information seminars.
  • Organize a community festival/business exposition.
  • Organize a public exhibition of student artwork.

Capstone Presentation - The How of a Capstone

The Capstone presentation is required after completing the Capstone product. This is your chance to showcase your work to an audience. You selected a topic of personal interest, researched it and created a product, service, or event. You now have the opportunity to describe the process of learning, along with the results, to a judging committee. This is the culmination of your effort. Once you and your project advisor agree that your Capstone Product is ready, your advisor will contact your judging committee and give them a copy of your completed Capstone Product. During the presentation, you will be required to discuss the process and defend your response to your core question.