Selecting a Mentor for your Senior Capstone Project
Each student will need to select a mentor who will shepherd them through the process of
completing their required Senior Capstone Project. It should be someone with whom the student
feels comfortable working with and someone who can provide guidance and expertise.
Students are allowed to select a mentor from the members of the Advisory Committee (see p. 2)
only. In order to ensure that your mentor is able to devote adequate and meaningful assistance,
each member of the Advisory Committee is limited as to how many students they can mentor.
Assignments are made on a first come, first served basis. Once a mentor has a full slate of
mentees, he or she will no longer be able to accept students.
Student Guidelines for Working with Mentors
¤
¤
¤
¤
¤
¤
Be professional and courteous at all times.
Make and keep appointments – use your mentor’s time wisely!
Maintain regular contact with your mentor.
Prepare for meetings. Ask questions you cannot answer on your own.
Document your meetings in your log.
Demonstrate your appreciation – write a thank you note!
7
Project Options
Option A: Research Paper
Length
Sources
Citations
- Minimum of 10 typed pages (not including annotated bibliography)
- 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1” margins
NB: There are about 300 words on a full typed page
You must use at least 8 sources that show a breadth of variety (books,
scholarly journal articles, magazine articles, professional web sites,
interviews, etc.) Other specific parameters will be provided by your
mentor on a project by project basis.
Decided by mentor based on topic. Expect that MLA or
Turabian/Chicago will be utilized in most instances.
Option B: A Product
The product represents a hands-on experience dealing with some aspect of the research topic.
The student will apply information gained in research to create a product that demonstrates
learning and mastery of a topic. The term “product” can refer to a variety of hands-on
experiences that fall into any of the two categories below:
§ Physical – A student researches a topic and then builds or makes a product related to the topic.
Some examples include, but are not limited to, applying mathematical principals to build a roller
coaster or vending machine, create a computer program, design and execute a science
experiment.
§ Performance – A student researches a topic and then designs a performance of some sort
related to the topic. Some examples include, but are not limited to, a documentary, a play,
portfolio of original musical compositions, etc.
8
General Guidelines for Products:
§ Must be approved by your mentor before beginning.
§ The product should demonstrate a research component not dissimilar to that of the research
paper. You must document all steps of the process just like the research paper. You must
demonstrate to the mentor and evaluation committee the effort and time involved in the process.
9
Topic Selection Guidelines
* The research topic should be one in which you are highly interested, but not yet an expert.
* The topic should be broad enough to allow you access to enough information, but narrow
enough to make the research scope reasonable.
* The research topic should be one that is intellectually and creatively challenging.
* Be mindful that you topic should lend itself to the creation of a product.
* Avoid choosing topics that might involve expenses that you are not prepared to handle.
* Primary research shows originality and intellectual maturity.
* Before you make your final choice, do some preliminary research.
Narrowing Down Your Topic
INTEREST:
BROAD TOPIC:
NARROWED FOCUS:
Native Americans
Treaty Rights
1788 Fort Schuyler
Treaty in NY
10
Women’s Issues
Women’s Demand
for Higher Education
Establishment of Bryn
Mawr College
Brainstorming Work Sheet
Start with the end in mind!
Hopes of what your project will look like for the Evaluation Committee
Materials you may need
References/Sources to use
People to contact
Related topics
First major step
Obstacles
11
Letter of Intent
The Letter of Intent serves as the outline of your Senior Project. It is very important preparatory
element of your Senior Project work. If you devote more time, effort, and careful research to the
preparation for this letter, your entire program will flow much more smoothly. The
Brainstorming Worksheet on the previous page will help in organizing your thoughts for this
process.
It is recommended that you have some idea of your resources and have done research so you can
specify resources that you plan to use during your project. A preliminary bibliography of
sources must also accompany this letter. This letter of intent must be approved by your proposed
mentor before you can proceed with this project.
You must formally declare your project in a business letter addressed to your mentor. This letter
announces to the Advisory and Evaluation Committees exactly what your intentions are. These
letters are reviewed by your mentor and may require revision. You will have a 40 minute
workshop in your Government/Economics class prior to the submission deadline. This letter will
remain with your mentor in your Capstone Project portfolio. A copy will be returned to you
when approved and a copy will be filed with the Project Coordinator for scheduling purposes.
Use the following format:
√ Type your letter single space, with double spaces between paragraphs.
√ Use personal business style and block format.
√ Addressed the letter to your mentor.
Paragraph 1: Describe the general area of interest
Provides rationale for project
Explains prior knowledge or if expanding in expertise, expanding new learning
Paragraph 2: Identifies research paper focus and some points of coverage
Identifies resources
Includes relevant research questions
Describes a specific, tangible product (if applicable)
Paragraph 3: Explain the connection between you research and career goals
Includes an estimate of cost and time
Explains how this endeavor is a learning stretch*
Sincerely,
Ima Goodstudent
See appendix for sample letters.
12
Work Log
In order to monitor your progress on the Senior Capstone Project, you are required to maintain a
work log. This work log will be reviewed by your mentor and your Government/Economics
teacher during all workshops. It will also be collected by the Evaluation Committee prior to your
presentation.
Your work log should include the following:
1. Date
2. Write exactly what you did and time spent.
3. How do you feel about what you did?
4. What are you going to do next?
5. What problems did you encounter and how did you solve them?
13
Thesis Statement…What’s Your Point?
Everything about your project evolves from the thesis statement. As you look at you topic you
develop some conclusion or ideas. There will be some over all idea that expresses what your
project will be about and the point it is trying to make. This is a thesis statement.
What Makes a Good Thesis Statement?
+
+
+
+
+
+
It takes a stand on a topic.
It is a clear statement.
It is a specific statement.
It has a strong focus.
If a person reads it, they will know what you whole project is about.
It passes the “so what?” test.
From Topic to Thesis
Step #1: Immigration in Milwaukee
This is a topic, but it is not a thesis statement. It does not address a specific issue related to
immigration in Milwaukee. What will the project examine? Health and sanitation in immigrant
neighborhoods? Labor issues? Gender roles? The polka? There are thousands of immigration
topics that one could research. This topic needs to be narrowed quite a bit before it can be used
to build a thesis.
Step #2: Lizzie Black Kander and Jewish Immigration to Milwaukee from 1880-1920
This is a nicely narrowed topic, but it is still not a thesis. This phrase expresses no opinion and
makes no argument about the significance of Kander and Jewish immigration.
Step #3: Lizzie Kander used her cooking classes and The Settlement Cookbook to teach
Milwuakee’s Jewish immigrants about American culture.
This sentence is close to a thesis statement, but it is not quite there yet. The researcher now
shows what she has found about the purpose of Kander’s work, but still does tell us why the
topic is significant. What effects did The Settlement Cookbook and Kander’s cooking classes
have? How did Kander’s actions change the lives of Jewish immigrants?
Step #4: Though her cooking classes and The Settlement Cookbook, Lizzie Black Kander
introduced Milwaukee’s Jewish immigrants to American culture, which helped them
assimilate and learn how to avoid ethnic discrimination.
We have a winner!
14
Action Words
A great thesis properly utilizes actions words. Might we offer a few suggestions?
Advance
Advocate
Argue
Arise
Assert
Challenge
Change
Characterize
Claim
Clash
Confirm
Confront
Contend
Contest
Convince
Corroborate
Defend
Defy
Demonstrate
Denote
Develop
Dispute
Encourage
Endorse
Form
Indicate
Induce
Infer
Influence
Insist
Involve
Maintain
Make a case
Manipulate
Materialize
Oppose
Produce
Promote
Prove
Question
Rationalize
Reason
Reinforce
Result
Shape
Show
Signify
Substantiate
Suggest
Support
Sustain
Sway
Uphold
Use
Validate
Verify
A thesis statement is like a lighthouse…because it will guide you along the way.
15
Process Paper/Reflective Essay
Each student is required, regardless of project option selected, to complete and submit a Process
Paper/Reflective Essay that follows the format below. It should be typed, 12
12-point
point font, doubledouble
spaced with 1” margins. It should be two (2) pages and approximately 600 words.
Introductory Paragraph
Capstone Project.
- Describe your Senior Cap
- How/why did you select this topic?
Body Paragraph #1
- Discuss the obstacles your encountered.
- What problems arose for you while working on the Senior Capstone Project? How did
you overcome them?
- What would you do differently if you had the opportunity?
Body Paragraph #2
- Discuss what went well for your Senior Capstone Project.
- What was your favorite part of the project?
Body Paragraph #3
- Discuss what you learned about your topic.
- What are three pieces of knowledge or skills gained as a result?
- What is your personal reaction or thoughts on this new knowledge?
- How was this project a learning str
stretch for you?
Conclusion Paragraph
- Discuss what you learned about yourself as a result of the Senior Capstone Project?
- What are you most proud of?
- How will the Senior Capstone Project help you in your future endeavor
endeavors?
s?
16
Annotated Bibliography
A bibliography is an alphabetized list of sources you used. An annotated bibliography not only
lists the sources, but also gives a short description of the sources and how you used each of them
in your project. It should be separated into primary and secondary sources. Your mentor will
require format specific for your area of study (typically MLA or Turabian/Chicago). The
examples below are for reference purposes only.
Primary Sources
Commager, Henry Steele. Documents of American History. New York: Meredith Corporation,
1968.
Two important documents were used: part of Jefferson’s letter to Livingston, America’s minister
to France, with instructions for negotiating the purchase of New Orleans and Florida; and the
treaty between France and the United States for the purchase of Louisiana Territory. Both these
documents were placed on the project.
Historical Maps on File. New York: Facts on File Publication, 1984.
An historical map series with maps showing the exploration of the Mississippi River and North
America in 1783, and western lands in 1802 and 1803. These maps were used on the project to
show the growth of the U.S. and who claimed other parts of North America.
Secondary Sources
Carruth, Gordon, Editor. American Facts and Dates. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1972.
This is a brief entry on the Louisiana Purchase giving price paid and acreage purchased. I used
this information for my list of statistics.
DeConde, Alexander. A History of American Foreign Policy. New York: Charles Scribner’s
Sons, 1963.
The author discussed Jefferson’s policies regarding U.S. relationships with Spain, France, and
England during 1800-1803. This helped me to understand Jefferson’s third annual message of
October 17, 1803. I used a quote from this author in a caption.
17
Presentation Preparation
Your Senior Project presentation should be one of the most memorable events in your high
school career. Your audience will be small and supportive and you should be well prepared.
This is your chance to show off your hard work.
The entire presentation, including demonstrations, reading, and visual aids should run no longer
than ten (10) minutes. It will be followed by a question and answer period. You should practice
your presentation several times. You will want to practice to ensure that you will meet the time
requirement. Practice in front of an audience at least once and ask for feedback. Practice in
front of a mirror to get a sense of how your audience will see you as you speak. You must be
dressed in professional attire. Have a back-up plan—determine all the things that could go
wrong during your presentation and devise a plan for handling those situations. (For example,
what if the overhead projector quits working in the middle of your presentation or we have a
tornado or fire drill?) Speak slowly, in a clear, articulate voice—annunciate your words.
Guidelines for Organizing Your Presentation:
1. Plan an opening that will:
a. Introduce yourself,
b. Explain your motivation for choosing your topic, and state your thesis/hypothesis,
if applicable.
2. Plan the development of your presentation to last no longer than twenty (20) minutes.
Your presentation should include the effective use of:
a. Demonstrations,
b. Readings,
c. Visual aids,
d. Reference to interviews, discussion of your research,
e. and any other creative ways you may develop. (Integrate one or more into your
presentation)
3. You should select closing remarks that summarize your experience or prove/disprove
your hypothesis.
Warning About the Use of Technology
Technology will add dimension to your presentation. However, you must be careful about its
usage, or more specifically its over usage. Do not read off of the PowerPoint slide or overhead.
Bullet point the ideas you will be discussing. Do not read off of a prepared script. You should
always be the focus of any presentation and command the attention of your audience. Do not let
bells and whistles get in the way of that fact.
18
19
Capstone Project Acknowledgment Form
As the parent or guardian of a senior enrolled at Preston High School, I am aware that the
Capstone Project is required of my child.
I have carefully read through the Capstone Project Manual and understand the requirements of
all phases of the Capstone Project.
Finally, both my child and I understand that plagiarism is using another author’s words or ideas
without giving credit. I am aware that if my daughter plagiarizes any part of the project, she will
receive a zero on the entire project and will face the consequences as stated in the student
handbook.
Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________________________________
Date: ________________________
Student Signature: ___________________________________________________________
Date: ________________________
Home phone: _______________________________________________
Work phone: _______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email: _________________________________________________________
20
Letter of Intent Sample #1
Dear Dr./Mr/Mrs./Ms.:
I have chosen for my topic Michelangelo, the great artist who lived from 1475 to 1564.
This topic interests me because I did my Sophomore Project on the topic of Michelangelo’s Painting and
saw that there was much more to learn about Michelangelo and his life.
I intend to prove that Michelangelo’s art was influenced more by Greek ideas than by Christian ideas.
Although his most famous works were Christian religious art, I believe his approach was more like
ancient, pre-Christian Greek artists.
I expect that my research will involve reading about the Italian Renaissance, the Medicis, the Catholic
Church and Florence. I will also need to study ancient Greece. I believe that the evidence to support my
argument will include pictures of ancient Greek art and also Michelangelo’s art. I hope to be able to
contact an expert on this subject and communicate by e-mail on the Internet with this person.
I hope this meets with your approval, and I hope to discuss this project with you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Angela Michaels
Parent Signature _____________________________________________________________
Mentor Approval
Approved without alteration: _______
Approved pending alterations: _______
Not approved: ________
Mentor Signature: ___________________________________________________________
21
Letter of Intent Sample #2
Dear Dr./Mr/Mrs./Ms.:
My topic is firearms. I am very interested in guns and I have started a collection of antique rifles. This
topic interests me because firearms are an important part of history, and I also like to hunt.
I intend to argue against laws that limit gun ownership.
This is a topic with many pros and cons. I expect that there is much information available from the
National Rifle Association and the Fish and Game Department. There is also information from gun
control groups.
I plan to contact groups on both sides of this issue and send for their literature. I will also study the
history of firearms and the part of the Constitution that guarantees the right to bear arms.
I hope that you will approve this topic for my Senior Project.
Sincerely,
Remington Flintlock
Parent Signature _____________________________________________________________
Mentor Approval
Approved without alteration: _______
Approved pending alterations: _______
Not approved: ________
Mentor Signature: ___________________________________________________________
22
Letter of Intent Sample #3
Dear Dr./Mr/Mrs./Ms.:
My topic is the construction of a shop building. I am interested in being a builder, and this project will
help me understand that career.
I will show that I can build a structure economically by using careful planning. For example, by making
the size and dimensions of the building (approximately 12x20 feet) equal to the size and dimensions of
the lumber of the building that I buy, there will be less waste. I will set a budget and see if I can finish the
job within the budget. My uncle, who is a builder, will help me with the budget.
This project involves seeing whether a permit is necessary. I will also need to identify property lines. I
will need to assess the drainage on the land. I will need to make it assessable from the road, so a
driveway permit may also be needed. I will need to figure the amount of concrete needed for a
foundation.
There is a lot involved in planning a building: my research will involve contacting public officials,
obtaining price information and researching architecture. I would like to begin as soon as I get approval,
because construction should begin before winter.
Sincerely,
Sylvanus D. Morgan
Parent Signature _____________________________________________________________
Mentor Approval
Approved without alteration: _______
Approved pending alterations: _______
Not approved: ________
Mentor Signature: ___________________________________________________________
23