A capstone project (culminating project/senior exhibition/capstone experience) is a multifaceted assignment in which students conduct independent research on a problem or a question of their choice, engage with the relevant academic debates, and with the help of a faculty adviser present a substantial paper that demonstrates their deep understanding of the topic. While similar to college thesis in some ways, these kinds of projects may take different forms. Most of them are long-term exploratory projects that lead to a final product and a presentation.
Capstone projects provide a meaningful intellectual experience and a medium through which students’ research, investigative, and writing skills can be demonstrated to potential employers or professional schools.
Furthermore, these projects are mainly interdisciplinary. They allow the students to broaden the scope of their research to different subject areas or knowledge domains. They also help students to link their projects to community challenges or issues, and incorporate external learning experiences in their project.
Characteristics of a good capstone project
A good capstone project must have the following features however, when combined, they form the capstone framework.
- Originality – a good capstone project must reflect your understanding of an explicitly defined and focused topic. The student should be able to formulate his/her perspective on a problem and draw his/her conclusions. The end product and presentation must also reflect the student’s originality and creativity.
- Independence – the student should work primarily on his or her own. Therefore, a faculty mentor or an instructor is only an adviser, especially on the issue of requirements and guidelines.
- Appropriate Scope – a good Capstone Project should be within a limited and a reasonable or realistic scope.
- Orderly & Objective Process of Inquiry – a good Capstone Project must be able to demonstrate your familiarity with the methods of inquiry. It should reflect your ability to ask the right questions, to create ideas, to establish and apply evidence, to communicate your views, to recognize a convincing research, and to make valid conclusions.
- Intellectual Stretch – a Capstone Project should take the researcher to a place they have never been. Probably, never thought they could reach.