Capstone & Mastery Experience - West Hartford Public Schools

Capstone courses are those that provide for authentic learning experiences focused on the unique interests of learners. The purpose of a capstone experience is to provide an integrative experience for seniors that ties together the key learning objectives identified by the school that are consistent with the 21st century learning described in the district mission. Capstone experiences are expected to demonstrate reflection, critical thinking, and effective communication skills. The following courses offered across various departments meet this definition of a capstone course.

Grade 10	Grade 11 and Grade 12
AP Seminar	AP Research Graphic Design Capstone Leadership in Culinary Arts Science Research and Applications
Grades 10-12
Mastery Experience Independent Study

Advanced Placement Seminar

1 Credit
Grades 10-11
Prerequisite: None

Graduation Category: Elective

This foundational course provides students with opportunities to think critically and creatively, research, explore, pose solutions, develop arguments, collaborate, and communicate using various media. Students explore real-world issues through a cross curricular lens, consider multiple points of view to develop deep understanding of complex issues, and connect these issues to their own lives. The goal of AP Seminar is to offer rigorous college-level skill-based (rather than content-based) instruction across interdisciplinary concepts in service to development of students' research and argumentation skills. This new Advanced Placement offering from College Board fits within a sequence of two courses. Within the second course, AP Research, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar Course by understanding research methodology, employing ethical research practices, accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Both courses fit within the AP Capstone Certificate and Diploma Programs. Visit http://www.collegeboard.org/apcapstone for more information.

Advanced Placement Research

1 Credit
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Advanced Placement Seminar

Graduation Category: Elective

This course provides students with opportunities to cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research in order to produce and defend a scholarly academic thesis. Students deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Students design, plan, and conduct a year-long mentored, research-based investigation to address a research question. The goal of AP Research is to further skills acquired in AP Seminar by understanding research methods; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. This new Advanced Placement offering from College Board fits within a sequence of two courses that begins with the AP Seminar. Both courses fit within the AP Capstone Certificate and Diploma Programs. Visit http://www.collegeboard.org/apcapstone for more information.

Graphic Design Capstone

1 Credit
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Graphic Design & Photography II or Digital Media & Video Production

Graduation Category: Humanities or STEM/Applied Art

This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to further explore design, photography and video in greater depth through critical thinking, creativity, research, and communication. Using various media students will cultivate hardware and software skills through the use of programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, and Final Cut Pro, as well as Digital and/or 35mm photography. Students will design, plan and develop a year-long mentored project and theme with learning goals resulting in a comprehensive portfolio presentation that can be applied in the broad field of graphic design.

Science Research and Applications

1 Credit: 5 Periods per Week
Grade 12 (Grade 11 with Permission of the Science Department Supervisor)
Prerequisites: Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry or Chemistry and Physical Science (can be taken concurrently)

Graduation Category: STEM

"Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose." Zora Neale Hurston. This course provides a unique opportunity for students to develop and employ the skills of a practicing scientist. The overall goal of the Science Research and Applications course is to help students plan, design, conduct, and present original science research. Students enrolled in this course will develop learning, innovation, career, and informational technology skills that relate to an area of strong personal interest. In addition to their science teacher the student may work with an internship host (i.e., a practicing scientist) to complete their project.

Leadership in Culinary Arts

1 Credit
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Careers in Foods

Graduation Category: Humanities/Applied Art

This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to further develop food service and restaurant management skills within the Nutrition College Career Pathway. Along with cultivating leadership and collaboration skills, students will deepen their understanding of the culinary curriculum through peer mentoring, restaurant management roles and internship participation. These advanced culinary students will prepare for jobs in the food service industry and/or for further education as they participate in required catering opportunities, research projects and a culinary internship activity. Many of these events will take place after regular school hours.

For any student successfully completing Leadership in Culinary Arts in their junior year, this course may be repeated in their senior year with the incorporation of a capstone project and further enhanced activities.

Mastery Experience Independent Study

1 Credit
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Proposal Form

Graduation Category: Elective

The Mastery Experience (ME) is a one credit learning opportunity students earn by engaging in the exploration of a topic that is personally meaningful. Students can complete one ME credit through a pathway that suits their schedule and needs. Students can earn the ME credit through one of two pathways.

1. External Independent Study
2. Student Teacher Assistant Program

Note: Mastery Experience Independent Study Manual and proposal form are located in online version of the POS

Grade 10

Grade 11 and Grade 12

Grades 10-12