Capstone
What is Required of Students?
Students will demonstrate the attributes of the Putnam Learner by pursuing an option:
- A student interest project
OR
- A community impact project
Student Interest Project
In the student interest project, a student will:
•Select a topic
•Research topic
•Produce and present an artifact that demonstrates their learning
What might this look like?
Creative writing/poetry portfolio
Research evolution of linguistics and write a thesis
Create a gallery exhibition of your work for an opening
Through this experience, students will represent the Vision of a Putnam Learner by:
Communicator: Students engage in discourse with experts/mentors in their area of interest. During the experience students will communicate their learning through the project, research log, and reflection paper.
Critical Thinker: Students will contextualize their interest project, reflect on their learning, and support their conclusions with research.
Explorer: Students will take the initiative to explore their area of interest and design the project.
Learner: Students will develop and adapt their idea based on their research. They will transfer their knowledge to their project’s context.
Leader: Students will take initiative and risks while pursuing their passion/interest.
Citizen: Students will understand the cultural and social contexts of their project.
Community Impact Project
In the community impact project, a student will:
•Identify a cause or need
•Research and develop a plan of action
•Implement the plan
•Reflect on and present the impact
What might this look like?
Organize a MLK Jr. Day Convocation and assembly
Create a community garden
School improvement project
Through this experience, students will represent the Vision of a Putnam Learner by:
Communicator: Students engage in discourse with community members and groups. While completing the project, students will communicate their learning, service log, and reflection paper.
Critical Thinker: Students will consider multiple viewpoints and their impact on the community as they plan and implement their project.
Explorer: Students will take the initiative to explore their community’s assets, learning about local organizations and agencies.
Learner: Students will develop and adapt their plan based on feedback from community members and organizations.
Leader: Students will inspire positive action in their school or community.
Citizen: Students will understand the local, cultural and social contexts of their project.
Capstone Checklist
Pick mentor: It is important to touch base with your adviser to complete your project. They are a resource that can walk you through the process and provide you with support and details about Capstone.
Proposal: The proposal is the starting point of Capstone. It identifies what your project is and sets the learning goals that you will attempt to complete. Advisers will help develop your idea and give you suggestions on your project.
Research Log: These logs will help you better understand the project that you are undertaking. In completing the research logs you will look at a variety of materials. You may conduct interviews, watch YouTube videos and search online for resources to help you meet the academic goals that you created. You determine the best sources that will be the most helpful for your project.
Complete Project: The heart of the Capstone experience is the project. This should be something that you have an interest in. Devote some time to planning and creating your project. Don’t forget to take pictures, screenshots and videos to document the actual activities. These will help you create a strong supported presentation.
Reflection questions: After you have completed your project, you will reflect on your learning by responding to a series of short answer questions. This gives you an opportunity to share how you have met aspects of the Putnam Vision of a Graduate, how you have overcome obstacles in completing your capstone and how the process will benefit you in the future.
Present