Senior Capstone

Senior Capstone at Woodlawn is a nine month field-based inquiry project where students immerse themselves in the research of any one topic of their choosing. They are encouraged to pick a topic or passion of personal interest that has many avenues through which to explore. Once they narrow their interests down, they come up with a ‘big question’ and/or problem to investigate. Students are guided in: doing field research, connecting their project back to the community, applying their findings to the execution of a culminating presentational product, and documenting the project process.

Overview

• Students are set up with a scaffolded ‘framework’ that includes objectives, benchmarks, and monthly deadlines.
• Students meet with a teacher advisor throughout the nine-month process plus find a personal mentor to converse with regularly about their project.
• Towards the end of the process, internships around the research are arranged and completed by the students.
• All presentations of products take place in May of the Senior year. The final presentation should demonstrate the student’s mastery level of their topic.