Judges
Thank you for considering volunteering to judge this year's Capstone Fair. Here is the link to sign up:
Students work with an advisor to complete an independent project which synthesizes their learning from the electives in their career academy as well as demonstrates command of core 21st century skills in a real-world context.
On behalf of the Class of 2024, the Capstone Advisors, and the Capstone Chairperson, we wish to thank you for generously volunteering to judge this year's Capstone Fair. Last year, over 150 Weymouth Public Schools staff, Town of Weymouth employees, and Community Members gave their time to help judge our student projects. The support of this program continues to grow and it is much appreciated. Judges' evaluations will give valuable feedback for the grading of the Capstones and will help us recognize exemplary Capstone Projects.
Below, you will find a sample of the Capstone Judge's Rubric. You will receive copies of the rubrics for the projects you will be visiting at the welcome table on the night you volunteer as judge. You will be asked to visit each of your assigned capstone projects and complete a rubric for each one.
Students have also been instructed to be prepared for questions from the judges. Some questions you may want to ask:
How did you decide on this topic?
What have you learned from your research? How did you use that information to answer your central question?
Were there any findings in your research that surprised you?
What did your project (real-world application) entail?
How did you make the connection between what you learned from your research to your real-world application?
What impact did your real-world application have?
What did you learn from doing your real-world application?
What problems or challenges did you face while carrying out your real-world application? How did you address or solve those problems?
Who did you have to work with to complete your project? How were you able to work together? (Please note, even students without partners would be expected to collaborate with their advisor, other teachers, outside professionals, etc.)
What is the one thing you are most proud of regarding your project?
What is the one thing, if you had time, you would redo? And why?
What was the most challenging part of the entire Capstone process?
If you had more time and resources how could you expand or advance this project?
Which of the 21st century skills did you improve the most on?
Which of the 21st century skills do you still need to work on?
How do you think you grew as a student throughout this process?
Any additional questions that ensure that the student is an expert on their topic!
Remember, you do not necessarily have to be an expert in the field related to the student’s topic. In fact, sometimes it is better not to be…this requires the student to explain their project in a way that everyone can understand.
Basically, we want to know if a student picked a topic they have passion for, conducted rigorous research on that topic, and then used what they learned to design a meaningful project that has an impact on someone other than themselves. This can take place in many forms: through educating, fundraising, entertaining, or solving a problem. We also want to know if a student has become proficient in the following 21st century skills: strategic reading, problem solving, research, collaboration, technology, written communication, and oral communication. The rubric has been designed so that you can help us assess that.
To help you in your evaluations we have included the following information from the Capstone Course Syllabus and Curriculum Map.
Capstone Course requirements:
Create a proposal of the project of your choice dealing with one of the themes in your career pathway, which includes a researchable central question.
Design and produce a related, rigorous, student-driven project that has real-world implications.
Visually and orally present your project to an audience consisting of teachers, administrators, parents and community participants.
Complete a capstone portfolio to document process that includes:
An annotated bibliography of 15-20 sources with which you created your project
A Works Cited page
A 4-5 page written synthesis of research findings
All journal entries and real-world application update forms
Evidence of completing a real-world application of your research
Write a reflection of 3-4 pages that identifies how your project demonstrates your command of core 21st century skills. (Not due until after the fair.)