CCP4 - Capstone

Lifeworthy Learning

Knowledge is good to know only if there are occasions that call on and keep it alive and available. To be worth knowing, knowledge has to go somewhere. (From Future Wise: Educating Our Children For A Changing World by David N. Perkins)

Course Overview

The Capstone project is done during the twelfth-grade year through the CCP 4 course, however, it is designed to be completed independently by students with the guidance of their CCP4 mentor and experts in the field as needed.

Students will learn and/or bolster many skills through the completion of a Capstone project. Some skills include problem-solving, evaluation, synthesis, writing, communication, organization, time management, knowledge of technology and how to use it in a presentation, and oral presentation skills.

The Capstone project consists of four major components:

the proposal
the body of work
a final reflection
and the presentation.

The project can be completed in the following ways:

With a CCP4 advisor, attending class every week
With a CCP4 advisor, attending as needed (College Link students and Flex students who have chosen to do a project)

Project Selection

Student choice is an important component of a successful Capstone project. Given the amount of time (one academic year) that will be dedicated to this project, it is important to choose a project wisely. Students are best motivated to carry out the project when the process deepens their learning and exploration of topics that capture their personal passions and goals.

A large portion of the CCP3 time is used to have students start this process. After a deep dive into reflecting on their academic takeaways and an essential skills curation, they will be asked to think about what they are interested in and what they might be doing after graduation. Through this process of exploration, students will narrow down their choice and write their Capstone project proposal. The proposal needs to be approved by the CCP3 instructor.

A proposal template is provided to the right.

Student Project Proposal

Pathways and Project Implementation

In this pathway students will either already have an internship or will be actively seeking an internship.
Students will explore ways to boost their skill sets and knowledge to make themselves more marketable, and increase their pay.
Students will need to do job shadowing, job interviews, and complete practice/real job applications.
Opportunities to mentor younger internship seeking students.
Students will also explore the history of worker rights and the future of work.
Self selected life skills exploration.

This pathway provides three options:

Academic Research Essay Project: topic of choice, in-depth research, sustained development of argument and self-reflective learning.
Personal Philosophy Project: case-study research, sustained development of philosophical discussion, and self-reflective learning.
Creative Writing Portfolio: genre research, sustained development of style, and self-reflective learning.

Focusing on design thinking, students identify and research a problem or need, plan a solution to address that need, implement their chosen solution, then evaluate the success of that solution.

Capstone Presentation

The culminating event of the Capstone Project will be the Capstone Project Presentation. The Capstone Review Panel may consist of a teacher, a student, and a community member. The presentation should be eight to fifteen minutes in length with a five minute question and answer period at the end. To build confidence, practice presentations will be required with peer feedback. The key to a successful presentation is practice and preparation!

A general outline for your presentation includes four sections of equal attention:

What?
- What did you do? Describe the highlights of your project.
What?
- What did you learn? About yourself, your area of focus, project management, time management, etc.
- Include specific examples from your project.
So what?
- What is this important to you? How does this project and your learning connect to you and your path to graduation?
- Include specific examples from your project.
Now what?
- How does this project and your learning connect to your goals and your path after graduation?
- Include specific examples from your project.

Capstone Reflection

The Capstone Reflection is a chance to reflect holistically on your experiences over the course of your senior year in connection with your Capstone Project. An important part of the capstone process is reflecting on what you have learned, and how the project has impacted you and others. In the end, the most important part of your capstone is what you learned about yourself as a student, learner, and citizen -- this needs to be the basis of your reflection. Your reflection will be graded using the Capstone Reflection Rubric according to the Detailed Instructions below.

Digital Portfolio

Create your TA Digital Portfolio (if not already created)

Go to TA's Google Sites Template Gallery
Click on "Digital Portfolio Template"

Create Compass Points Folder in Google Drive (if not already created)

Create a new folder called "Compass Points"

Thoroughly document your capstone project

This will be unique to the capstone strand, so be sure to confirm with your capstone advisor for specific instructions.

Update homepage with Post-secondary goals

Long-term Goals
Career Goals
Educational Goals
Financial Goals

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Update Extra Curricular Activities page

Activities
Hobbies & Interests
Skills & Abilities

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Update Extra Curricular Activities page

Awards & Certificates
Work Experience
Volunteer Experience

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Highlights
Major moment of learning
Goals for next year

Digital Portfolio Assessment Rubric

CCP Digital Portfolio Assessment Rubric

Career Cruising

Career Cruising: My careers - explore 3 and save

Career Cruising: Learning Styles inventory

Complete inventory
Write one reflection in Career Cruising regarding Learning Styles Inventory

Career Cruising: Complete Matchmaker Inventory

Career Cruising: Document any and all Career Planning Activities

Go to "My Plans" > "Goals and Plans" > "Career Planning Activities"
Include ALL career related activities
- Dual credit classes in area of career interest
- Internships
- TA classes or experiences related to career exploration

Final Checklist

Click here to make your own copy of the Final Checklist for CCP4.

CCP4 Checklist

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