SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE Global Impact Stem Academy Feb SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE Global Impact Stem Academy Feb. 29, 2016 Updated 3/1/17

WHAT IS THE SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE? Real world experience that allows seniors to exit the classroom to engage in real-world experience for internship, service learning and/or research Requires students to devote three hours a day, five days a week, for 16 weeks for a total of 240 hours or some similar combination of hours

Why is This Required? Connects the “Why?” of many skills and concepts learned at GISA Experience hands-on, practical applications in a real-world setting Can make important networking connections Try on a career and see if it fits Bring the high school career to a meaningful conclusion Can demonstrate development of soft skills necessary to be successful in the work-force

ACCOUNTABILITY Students will be enrolled in a year long course titled “Senior Capstone Experience”, Submit an approved project proposal prior to the start of the experience Senior will complete one assessment, Project Mentor will complete a mid and completion evaluation. Capstone Adviser will make at least one visit Seniors will defend projects before an Evaluation Committee

ACCOUNTABILITY AET will be our system to keep track of hours, wages, goals, activities, pictures, etc The focus of the capstone requirement begins with the students’ interests and is refined as they talk with the Project Mentor and Project Adviser Students are expected to display their project in the cafeteria during lunch, as well as open houses, exhibition days etc.

ACCOUNTABILITY We will load each senior into a Schoology group called “Senior Capstone Experience”. The Senior Capstone Experience Guidelines and Senior Capstone Experience Rubric will be in the Resources area of the group so students always have access to it. This is also where we notify students of capstone experience opportunities we come across. We also can make these documents available on the GISA web site.

WHO MAKES UP EVALUATION COMMITTEE? Capstone Adviser Capstone Mentor (if possible) One teacher selected by the student (if possible) who has made a difference in the GISA experience for the student One junior and one senior student selected by the student to offer support, see what the Capstone Experience is all about, co-chair the committee Student’s family is also invited to the defense

ITEMS TO KEEP IN MIND You may have multiple sites to complete your experience (some paid, some volunteer and/or some research) Mr. Gierke and Dr. Pfister will assist in suggesting site locations but it is your responsibility to secure the position. Mr. Gierke and Dr. Pfister will assist you in converting a current job into a capstone experience. There will be some volunteer positions available at Global Impact (ie. Lab Assistant, Tour Coordinator)

ITEMS TO KEEP IN MIND So as not to conflict with the Consortium Summer Internship program many of the Capstone Experience sites will be during the academic year. Start early in finding your site(s) Those juniors who still have high school requirements to complete will be taking their high school courses along with Capstone Experience. Others will be taking college courses along with their Capstone Experience. Students MUST be enrolled in at least four courses each semester of the senior year.

ITEMS TO KEEP IN MIND You will need to complete a display for your Capstone Experience that may take the form of a tri-fold with pictures, brochures, power point, video presentation, movie At the end of the experience you will defend your experience. There will be items you need to address at the defense

ITEMS TO KEEP IN MIND You can start accumulating hours as of July 1, 2017 Your Capstone Experience Proposal and Contract and Signatures must be submitted and approved before you can start accumulating hours Your display and defense will be expected once you complete your 240 hours so there will be opportunities for presentations throughout the year

Questions? Contact Dr. Jill Pfister or Mr. Collin Gierke jpfister@globalimpactacademy.org cgierke@globalimpactacademy.org (937)328-6600