Thirteen students at Anacapa School presented their Senior Capstone Projects, nearly a year’s worth of work, on Wednesday, May 4, at the Cabrillo Pavilion.
In June 2021, rising seniors selected a topic to study in a year-long, intensive research project that culminated in Wednesday’s presentations.
Topics covered a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, including music, psychology, filmmaking, engineering, computer science, math, and literature.
“The Senior Capstone Project is a year-long research project, for which students choose a research-driven question that they answer through careful inquiry and research,” according to Capstone Faculty Co-Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Floyd. “As part of the project, students complete a research paper, research poster, and an optional creative project.
“The goal of the project is for students to investigate a topic of personal interest that they have not had the time to develop in normal coursework and to develop the skills and autonomy needed for future success in college and afterward.”
Bella Comati’s project, titled Climate Change Awareness: How Facts Within Film and TV Affect the Audience, considered the levels of success various films had at conveying information regarding climate change.
“I chose a project that correlates with what I might want to do for a career, so it was nice to have an opportunity to do in-depth research in that field that I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise,” said Comati.
“I learned that what constitutes research is more broad than I used to think; for each project, research meant something different. For me it was watching and analyzing films, for other people it was more traditional.”
Students participated in frequent advisory meetings throughout the year, and had the chance to learn about research skills such as writing an annotated bibliography.
“What sets Anacapa’s Senior Capstone Project apart from other high schools’ capstones is the small class size and personal advising that students receive over the year,” explained Floyd. “We lead curated workshops to help students master academic research and writing skills, finesse oral presentation skills, and to engage in a long-term academic and creative inquiry.”
“The projects showcased our seniors’ wide variety of interests and skills. Each of the thirteen projects spoke to the students’ individual passions and personality,” said Floyd. “Additionally, the projects demonstrated the many types of interests, scholarly and creative, within our student body.”
The presentation ceremony included an informal walkabout period, in which the seniors defended research posters to family, friends, and younger students. Afterwards, each senior delivered a formal oral presentation of their findings to the entire audience.
Gino Alteri’s project focused on the restoration of an “old family golf cart that hasn’t run for years,” according to the senior. “I enjoyed doing a hands-on project, one that will have a final product that can actually be used. The satisfaction of making progress despite having little prior experience was meaningful.
“I used the internet, and spoke in person with experts in the field to learn more about the restoration process. I learned more about golf carts than I ever thought I would.”
Rising seniors begin work on their capstone projects this month.