For my project, I researched a lot of different aspects of Dr. Seuss, such as his books, his background, and his style. I collaborated with both my mentor and a daycare teacher. I, then, created a book of SLA and how I grew through SLA in the style of a Dr. Seuss book.

(to see the rest, email me: sbeattie@scienceleadership.org) 

A Study of Thematic Evolution

By Michael Dea

Capstone Mentor: Ms. Larissa Pahomov

 

Topic:

The goal of this capstone was to examine poetry and short stories over the course of four years to see how, if at all, the themes of the writing change over time.

 

            During the proposal stages of the capstone process, I looked at what I found interesting and what I enjoyed doing. As a result, I chose a capstone with a creative writing basis, given that I wrote as a hobby previously. Once the plans for what the end goal of the capstone were determined, the process of selecting what works would go into the end product was begun, supplementing some areas with works that were begun within the year. After this step’s completion, the selected works were analyzed for possible connections, the details of which can be seen in the process paper. Throughout this process, given that the works were written, they were reviewed by others for input on things such as themes, revisions (for newer works) etc.

https://docs.google.com/a/scienceleadership.org/document/d/1S3R1ogie_LlpSEFakc_PxKKpc5trdufg1m9V1q2yeig/edit

For my capstone project, I created a Checkers game using the Java language. Creating a checkers game in the Java language requires translating the rules of the board game into something the computer can actually understand. Most of the time was spent on just acquiring a basic knowledge of computer science from my mentor, Mr. Miles. The rest was spent actually developing the game with the assistance of Jobe Naff.

Below are some screenshots of the checkers game and code:

​ My Senior Capstone Project was to take the existing non-profit organization that I co-founded last year, and providing youth with opportunities to showcase their individual talents to large amounts of people. I am collaborating with two close friends to demonstrate 3 different components of running an organization. The section that I am focusing on is the production phase of the organization. This essentially is the execution the projects that we have scheduled and the process that we undergo to make these ambitions a reality.

When we come into SLA as freshman we are given our laptops and some much appreciated freedom. Looking back now, I wish I could have been given something that would have given me ways to help my laptop last longer, and remain as fast as it was that first day of school. Because of how I felt I wanted to make my capstone something tangible that students can look back at and use to their advantage. To do this, I created a brochure, which was a good way to present my information in an easily accessible and comprehensible way. 

For my capstone, I volunteered to host a blood drive. As a blood drive coordinator, my job was to work with the American Red Cross to organize the blood drive. I had to make a recruitment plan and schedule all of the donors for the drive. Although this may seem like an easy task to do, it is not very easy to get teenagers to give blood. Some don’t know that importance of donating blood so besides just organizing; I also had to do a lot of educating.

For my capstone I took a mini class with the Jefferson Awards people for them to teach me how to start a new program like this in my school. So a former student and I of SLA took what we learned from this class and fought a way for us to go about doing this in SLA. The Jefferson Award presents an award to a student every month or so who does something outstanding in community service. My first steps were to get a group of voices to start a committee. And get the word out to SLA about this new program.

The question I had inquired for my Capstone was “Are you able to experience culture, simply throughout food?’ In future plans, I want to become a baker therefore making me want to take this aspect of cooking and add it to my Capstone. I’ve researched the seven continents looking for recipes that would best fit and it turned out that I had successfully found cookies/biscuits for each continent that also held history to each continent as well. With each continent some how, and someway I was able to finance the supply to make each from scratch. I have learned that you actually can experience culture throughout food and I’ve been able to do this just by making cookies/biscuits originated from each of the seven continents. 

Taking the ANZAC Biscuit dough out of the mixer and placing them on the baking sheet.

Me placing the almonds on the Chinese Almond Cookie. 

Sledging Biscuits!

 

Lehmann supporting my Capstone!

 

Ms. Thompson trying out the Alfajores and other cookies from around the world.

 

 

Me explaining my Capstone to Mr. Miles.