Fall 2018 Capstone Night A Success
Senior Capstone is an elective at Bacon Academy and taught by social studies teacher Mr. Michael Mal. The semester course allows students to immerse themselves in an area of personal interest and learn skills that are required of a productive citizen. Twenty shadowing hours with multiple experts in the field, and a project that demonstrates the skills and knowledge obtained are required for the course. Since the course is a pass/fail course, students must demonstrate and provide evidence that they have met all of the Bacon 10 Standards. Students conference with Mr. Mal about these standards and their progress towards each. As a result, the pressure of numerical grades is taken off of the student This allows them to learn, explore, and research anything that truly intrigues them, and gain useful skills and knowledge as a result. Through communicating with and shadowing professionals, networking, reflecting, journaling, setting goals, and problem solving, student gain valuable life skills that are applicable in many jobs and occupations.
Senior Capstone Night is the exposition of the students’ final products and processes. After the shadowing hours are completed, the final product must demonstrate the new skills and knowledge learned, and somehow solve a problem they have identified within their area of interest. The process must outline the student’s experience in the class, including shadowing hours, goals, reflections, journals, etc. This year’s Fall Semester Capstone Night showcased the work of 18 students, with focus areas including education, ADHD and classroom engagement, nursing, physical therapy, marketing, optometry, and many more. It is a great opportunity for students to have conversations with community members about their focus topics and experiences, and problems that exist within them.
Personally, I gained countless life skills from the course, and learned very much about myself, and the field I intend to pursue. I would highly recommend the course to any current or future senior who wants to learn more about an area of personal interest, and themselves.
