Capstone Projects à la Remote By Rob Sorensen, Ph.D.
F O R A L M O S T T W E N T Y Y E A R S , Bear Creek
seniors have concluded their last year in high school with a Senior Capstone Project. These projects allow students to develop and pursue a personally selected, self-directed venture during the last three weeks of the spring semester. Some students choose to immerse themselves in a new skill—like learning to knit or to bake bread—while others extend one of their interests into a new area—like writing music or developing a smartphone app. Many students produce works of art or independent research. Each student is asked to design a project that builds on his/her unique interests, exhibits a significant level of personal challenge, and advances his/her ability to articulate how his/her worldview has been explored, challenged, or changed by the experience. In this way, students demonstrate that they can take ownership of their own learning as they finish their high school experience.
accomplish the important work of the Capstone projects in a new and challenging environment. This required some thoughtful changes to the typical process in order to both preserve the benefit of a student-directed project and comply with public health requirements.
Capstone projects have become a cherished part of the Bear Creek experience, and when it became clear that remote learning would continue through the end of the school year, seniors, their teachers, and administrators had to think through how to
Seniors design their own projects and submit a formal proposal in February, so when remote learning began in March, many seniors had already begun to make plans for their projects. And as remote learning continued, students started to recognize that their original plans, many of which included travel or large group activities, were no longer feasible. Despite this, there was a great deal of support for continuing Capstone projects from both students and faculty. Grade 12 faculty, led by Senior Capstone Project coordinators Kristin Dennison and me, worked closely with seniors to adjust projects so they were achievable during remote learning. Some students were able to retain much of their original proposals, but others had to completely redesign their projects. Eventually, all our seniors were able to develop projects that both fit their interests and goals and were possible within the confines of remote learning.
Annemarie M. – Upcycling and Refurbishing Items
Nelson S. – Designing a High School Mathematics Course
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MODUS VIVENDI – Fall 2020
