CAPSTONE PROJECT

Description

What is the CAPSTONE Project?

The CAPSTONE project is a personally-designed independently conducted activity which enables you to further your knowledge/skill in one or more of the course topics which you have found or believe to be especially interesting or beneficial to you. The project represents a significant portion of your final grade for the course and is therefore expected to represent attainment of advanced knowledge/skill levels in the selected topic. As you will be required to present your CAPSTONE project before your fellow students, it will be necessary for you to create a computer-based presentation for end of the semester delivery.

What steps are involved in the CAPSTONE project?

1. Review all course materials and select a topic.
 

Select a topic you find to be believe to be especially interesting or beneficial to you in your future academic/career life.

2. Determine and identify the learning product and means by which you will advance your knowledge/skill levels.
 

You must advance your knowledge/skill level beyond that normally expected in the course.  It is expected that the project will reflect a minimum of 30 hours of concentrated effort on your behalf.

You may which to look at the CAPSTONE project examples.  DO NOT limit yourself by someone else's standards - the sky is the limit.  Propose a project that is most meaningful to you.

3. Prepare a brief (one page maximum) CAPSTONE project proposal.
 

The proposal must …

o        clearly identify the topic you have chosen, and

o        describe the learning product, and

o        describe the means by which you will advance your knowledge/skill levels in the topic you have chosen

o        describe the deliverables products that will be submitted at the end of the semester
 

Review the CAPSTONE project proposal examples.

4. Submit by your CAPSTONE project proposal for consideration and approval by the specified due date.
 

Note, proposals requiring rework will be returned with a request for revision and resubmission.  It is essential for you to work diligently and early to create an acceptable CAPSTONE project.

5. Once your proposal has been approved, work toward the completion of your approved CAPSTONE project activity throughout the remainder of the semester.

6. Submit your CAPSTONE project work-in-progress reports by the specified due dates.

7. Develop a computer-based presentation of your CAPSTONE project experience by the specified due date.
 

You will need to familiarize yourself with the computer-based presentation application before your actual presentation.
The content of the presentation should follow the CAPSTONE Project Presentation Guidelines.

8. Successfully deliver your CAPSTONE project presentation before your fellow students.

9. Submit both hard- and soft-copies of your completed CAPSTONE project for final evaluation by the specified due date.
 

Add your CAPSTONE project file to your personal portfolio of significant achievements.  Congratulations!

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CAPSTONE PROJECT

Examples

Application of computer-based tools to solve a problem or create a product relevant to your needs and/or interests:
 

Create a computer microarchitecture simulator
Create a web-page editor
Create a computer controlled Remote Integrated Launch System application
Create a customer record maintenance and invoicing database
Create a performance profile of an application and make appropriate performance enhancements
Create a spelling quiz program
Create a basic arithmetic quiz program
Create a record management (or DBMS) program
Create a tutorial guide on Pascal programming concepts/tips/techniques
Create a "How to create web-pages" web-site
Create a "Wheel of Fortune" game program
Create a complete home budget spreadsheet
Create an inventory database complete with forms and reports
Create a "Jeopardy" Silviculture game using MS PowerPoint
Create a recipe database using MS Access
Create and maintain a personal web(WWW) server
Create a home budget spreadsheet using MS Excel
Create a WWW Home Page for yourself or a business/organization

Comprehensive report on the use of computers in your career field:
 

Report on Use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in Forest Management
Report on Impact of Internet on Children
Report on Computer Database Availability and Use in Law Enforcement
Report on the use of Computers to promote Natural Medicines and their use
Report on the use of Information Technology in the Social Services field
Report on the effects of the Internet on children

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CAPSTONE PROJECT

Proposal Examples

Example 1

Name: ***********************                                             Date: **********

Topic: Use of Information Technology in Law Enforcement

Product: A comprehensive report that identifies and describes the different types of information technology used by the Maine State Police.

Method: I am planning on conducting interviews with several Maine State Police officers to learn more about the information technologies they use in day to day activities.

Relevance: This project is relevant to me since I am planning on joining the Maine State Police following graduation and will benefit both myself and the Maine State Police by being better skilled with and knowledgeable of the various information technologies they utilize.

Deliverables: A 10 page report and a 5 min PowerPoint Presentation

Example 2

Name: ***********************                                               Date: **********

Topic: The effects of computers on children

Product: A comprehensive report that identifies and describes the effects of computers and computer use on children.

Method: I am planning on conducting a library literature search to learn more about the effects of computers and computer use on children.

Relevance: This project is relevant to me since I am a parent and have a particular concern about what I should and should not be doing to help my children grow. I have heard of the effects of television on children and am concerned there may be negative effects corresponding to my children being exposed to computers.

Deliverables: A 10 page report and a 5 min PowerPoint Presentation

Example 3

Name: ***********************                                                Date: **********

Topic: Internet Service Providers available in Aroostook County.

Product: A comprehensive report that identifies and describes the services provided by Internet Service providers in Aroostook County.

Method: I am planning on conducting a search to learn more about which companies provide these services and exactly the type of service they provide. I will speak with local businesses and interview people I know who have connected to the Internet from home to learn what they offer and have done.

Relevance: This project is relevant to me since I have recently purchased a computer and would like to connect to the Internet from home. I’ve heard it is necessary to purchase a modem and install and configure certain communication software, but I know little more. With the information I collect, I will be better able to make a sensible decision about the type of service I need and who offers the best price/service combination.

Deliverables: A 10 page report and a 5 min PowerPoint Presentation

Example 4

Name: ***********************                                                 Date: **********

Topic: Creation of a remote integrated launch system.

Product: A computer-based simulation of a remote integrated launch system that can be used to simulate the sequencing and timing needed to launch rockets.

Method: I am planning designing and developing the software using the Pascal program language. I will conduct research on the design of simulations (e.g., use of random number generators).

Relevance: This project is relevant to me since my brother and I both enjoy model rocketry and have seen such systems in operation at various shows we have attended. I hope to eventually be able to make "live" connections to my rockets so that I may actually control the launch sequence for my model rockets via software.

Deliverables: A software program complied for “Intel” architecture, a 5 page report and a 5 min PowerPoint Presentation

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CAPSTONE PROJECT

Presentation Guidelines

Presentation of your completed project is considered an essential part of the CAPSTONE experience.  As CAPSTONE projects will vary tremendously, the style and content of the presentations will likewise vary.  You will however, be required to utilize a computer-based presentation package to create and deliver your presentation.  The use of Microsoft PowerPoint (available on the campus network) is strongly recommended. Your presentation should last 5-10 minutes.

You are to create a project overview styled presentation for your CAPSTONE project per the following instructions:

1.  Using Microsoft PowerPoint, create a new presentation consisting of the following slides as a minimum:

Title/Topic slide
 

Identifies the Title/Topic of your project and the course title and your name.

Project Description

Identifies the Product, Method and Relevance as you proposed.

Outcomes
 

Identifies all significant outcomes (i.e., what was and was not accomplished).

Lessons Learned
 

Identifies the lessons you learned in completing the project as well as any recommendations you have to others who might attempt to complete a similar project.

Demonstration

This is NOT optional and should not exceed to time allotted for your presentation.  Remember, your slides should contain only an outline and you should elaborate on each point as you present.

2.  Perform a spell-check on the entire slide presentation and ensure all spelling is correct.

3.  Save your completed MS PowerPoint presentation file on a diskette under the name "Capstone.ppt".

4.  Bring hardcopies and softcopies (on disk) of both your project and presentation ready for submission during the last week of classes.
 
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CAPSTONE PROJECT

Evaluation Criteria and Schedule of Deliverables

Criteria for Evaluation of Capstone Projects

Schedule for Capstone Deliverables

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