Honors Project

Overview

The Capstone Project is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply all that they have learned in high school to a project which will extend learning, stretch potential, make community connections, and challenge abilities.

Learning Stretch

The stretch is the most important outcome of your Capstone Project. The stretch is the measurement of learning from the beginning of your project to its completion. The Capstone Project is designed to give you the opportunity to take the numerous skills that you have acquired in high school and apply them in ways that promote new learning. The greater the learning, the greater the stretch. Therefore, choosing a project that offers a maximum opportunity for learning will have a greater stretch than a project that you already possess the skills to complete.

The Paper

Once you have decided on a Capstone Project, you will need to choose a topic to complete a research paper. The expectation is that it will be a thesis paper with a minimum of ten pages with five resources. For example: If you plan to produce a bilingual book, would it be important to know how culture impacts the acquisition of a second language? You might want to write a paper entitled “English Language Learners: The Role of Culture in the Acquisition of a Second Language.” Students completing an Honors Project will not need to complete a journal entry. Their thesis paper will count as their writing requirement.

The Project

The project is a physical product or performance etc. that reflects an authentic application of what you have learned about the topic. For Example: If you are investigating English Language Learners, you might create a children’s picture book about a cultural event (Cinco de Mayo, Chinese New Year, etc.). This product will require you to write the story, translate the story, illustrate the story, and bind the final copy. It will demonstrate your understanding about the impact culture has on language inquisition.

The Portfolio

Your Capstone Project will require you to extend your learning beyond the classroom. The electronic portfolio will provide evidence of this Capstone Project journey. You will keep accurate records of the time you devoted and what you learned - a minimum of 30 hours must be logged on specific objectives and the final project. The portfolio is a place to keep all of this documentation, and it will be graded by your Capstone Advisor. This electronic portfolio will be housed in a table of contents. A template has been provided to you on this website.

Tri-Fold Display Board

Students will create a tri-fold display board that incorporates their new learning from their process and project and will display them at the Capstone Project Presentation Night in January of their senior year. Students will be expected to arrive early for set-up, dress appropriately (business casual), and to interact with guests in a professional manner. Early signup for extra technology or space needs will be needed to be completed in advance to the capstone advisor so proper arrangements can be made.

Log Sheet

Students must complete a log sheet displaying the hours that they have completed and it must be signed by a non-family member. There must be a minimum of 30 hours, not including paperwork for the portfolio or display board.

Electronic Presentation

Students must complete a slideshow presentation with an allotted number of slides that cover the requirements that will also be displayed at Capstone Project Presentation Night as an additional resource.

Honors Project Presentation to the Student Body

Students completing the Honors Capstone Project must also present to the student body during flex class time. These presentations must be held during the months of October, November, or December. They will need to be scheduled in advance with both the Capstone Advisor and Ms. Clemmitt who organizes advisory activities.

The Presentation

You will present your Capstone Project in a presentation to the community in January of your senior year. Parents, staff members, your advisor, mentor, and other community members will be here to support you during this event. The set up will be like a science fair that the audience will walk through from table to table to hear presentations. You will share with them about your process and what you have accomplished and learned. You will also share lessons you learned along the way and your personal growth as a result of this Capstone experience. If you choose a project that really excites you and captures your interest, your enthusiasm will certainly shine through.

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