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PV students on a tour of JPL |
Capstone Senior Project
Overview
Senior research is an integral part of being on the cutting-edge of Common Core
Standards and 21st
century skills of innovation and collaboration. We
have created a new and improved version of Senior Project: the Capstone Research
Project. We believe that through effective capstone research projects, PVHS can become
the model school for implementing 21st century skills that best prepare our students for
Common Core. Capstone focuses on relevance and manageability. The relevance of the
project will be related to the College and Career Pathways. The manageability will be in
utilizing a three-tiered approach to differentiating the capstone projects’ development
process.
The Capstone Research Projects will be coordinated through English classes as the focus
will be on CCSS Writing. All seniors will be required to complete Tier 1.
Tier 1: Seniors will complete a written report about their capstone research. All seniors
will present their capstone research project on a presentation board to an open audience in the MPR/GYM during a Capstone Research Project Conference. District officials,
industry partners, faculty and community members will grade the projects and
presentations with a scoring rubric. This portion of the Capstone Research Project is
mandatory for all seniors to effectively receive a grade for the project in their English
class.
Students will be paired with a faculty mentor and provided opportunities to connect with
an industry leader. Each career pathway will have an advisory board that will be
comprised of faculty and industry sector partners (Each pathway, or “academy” will have
an Academy Coordinator; an Academy Director will oversee all 5 academies). Students
will be provided guidance during Interdisciplinary Team Meeting Days on Late Start
Wednesday. Students will be able to pair-up and collaborate in teams no larger than 2 in
creating their projects.
In preparation for designing their projects students will be choosing College and Career
Pathways by industry sector:
• Arts, Media & Entertainment
• Education, Psychology & Public Service
• Engineering & Environmental Science
• Health Sciences & Medical Technology
• Business, Marketing & Sales
(Sectors were adapted from career pathways identified through Linked Learning Initiative)
Tier 2: 50 seniors will be selected from the Capstone Research Project Conference
scoring and will be invited by stakeholders (faculty, industry leaders, and district staff) to
compete in a panel presentation. The 50 seniors will be grouped into industry sectors and
panels specific to each industry sector will judge the capstone projects. These seniors
will be provided a special cord for graduation as a reward.
Tier 3: From the 50 seniors scored through the panels, the top 5 pairs/student will
compete in front of a mixed-industry panel in the Capstone Research Project Final
Competition to compete for scholarships. Finalists will be provided a unique sash for
graduation.
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PVHS Writing Program Introduction
The PVHS English Department developed the Writing Manual to standardize the
essential guidelines for writing essays. Jane Schaffer, an English teacher, from San
Diego, California, developed the writing terminology. The Writing Manual allows all
teachers and students at PVHS to have a common language when discussing essays.
Information in the Writing Manual includes format, policies, and procedures, which the
English Department follows to ensure consistency among all students.
Capstone Research Project Timeline - English 4
Semester 1: A B
August 29 30 Print PVHS Writing Manual from school website (10 points)
September 12 13 Capstone Proposal (10 points)
September 26 Faculty Mentor assigned
September 18 19 Resume (20 points); Parent Liability Release Form (10 points)
October 24 Meet with Faculty Mentor
October 24 25 Annotated Bibliography (40 points)
November 14 15 Introduction (30 points)
November 28 Meet with Faculty Mentor
December 12 - 17 Method rough draft (15 points)
December 19 Meet with Faculty Mentor (focus: method)
Semester 2: A B
January 28 29 Revised Introduction (10 points)
January 30 Meet with Faculty Mentor (focus: thesis)
February 13 14 Literature Review rough draft (15 points)
February 27 Meet with Faculty Mentor (focus: literature review)
March 13 14 2 copies of: Revised Introduction (0 pts), Revised Literature Review (50
pts), Revised Method (20 pts), Results and Discussion (30 pts),
Appendices (0 pts), Fieldwork Time Sheet (10 pts), and Abstract (10
points); Submit to turnitin.com
March 20 Meet with Faculty Mentor (focus: final paper)
April 11 12 Letter to the judges rough draft (10 points)
April 17 Meet with Faculty Mentor (focus: letter to the judges & exhibition)
April 23 24 Portfolio (20 pts), Letter to the Judges (10 pts), Final Revision&
Submit to turnitin.com (30 pts)
May 1 Meet with Faculty Mentor (focus: exhibition)
May 3 Tier 1: Sea King Capstone Bronze Exhibition (100 points)
May 23 Tier 2: Sea King Capstone Silver Exhibition (Top 50)
May 29 Tier 3: Sea King Capstone Gold Exhibition (Top 5)
Elevator Pitches
1) Duke University - Elevator Pitch Competition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWJ01a6NE5U
2) Example of Elevator Pitch by student at Utah State
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6O98o2FRHw
3) Media Bistro - Series of Elevator pitches
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZGQKx7RJw4&list=PLE1052C9B5D016F19
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