CAPSTONE PROJECT

CAPSTONE Defined CAP – STONE [kap stohn] - Noun The crowning achievement, point, element,event Source: Dictionary.Com, August 2009http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/capstone

PURPOSE The Senior Capstone Is an established component of the South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Academy (HCA) Provides an Opportunity to: Demonstrate Leadership Impact the Community in which You Live Strengthen Your Commitment to Public Service

GUIDELINES WHAT: A minimum of 20 hours to prepare and facilitate a community service project is required WHEN: Must be completed during the 12 th grade year WHERE: Within your community WHO: May be facilitated by an individual or a group of no more than 3 Academy Scholars

PROCESS Step 1: PLAN Step 2: PREPARE Step 3: SUBMIT Step 4: DOCUMENT Step 5: IMPLEMENT Step 6: PRESENT

Step 1: PLAN BRAINSTORM ideas of projects that will make a positive impact on your community Examples: Improve an existing school, community or church project Increase knowledge about health issues and/or health careers Bring awareness to community issues Impact children or peers CONSIDER what resources, education and support are needed – are these available or can they be located? The What

Step 1: PLAN DETERMINE where the project will take place Does the location have enough space and/or rooms Is it convenient and easy to find SCHEDULE the best day(s) and time Select start and end dates for your project Be sure that the selected location is available Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and plan The When & Where

Step 1: PLAN SET PROJECT GOALS by answering…. What should the project accomplish? How many people will the project reach? How will you know that the project was successful? The Success

Step 2: PREPARE TAKE NOTES… IDENTIFY what resources and partners will be required to support successful project implementation RECRUIT individuals with knowledge and resources to request assistance with project implementation TRAIN to develop/improve skills that are necessary for project implementation PROMOTE your project to the targeted population

Step 3: SUBMIT TRANSFER your notes to the CAPSTONE ACTION PLAN provided by the regional AHEC Health Careers Program Coordinator (HCP) prior to the deadline RECEIVE feedback and suggestions GAIN approval from the HCP Coordinator prior to starting your project Action Plan

Step 4: DOCUMENT KEEP A JOURNAL Make an entry in your journal whenever you work on your project Date the entry Document how much time was spent on that activity Include what you did, why, was it difficult, did you learn anything…

Step 5: IMPLEMENT JUST DO IT!! CAPTURE OUTCOMES Count the number of people attending Did you accomplish your goal? Yes/No, how do you know? What is the total amount of time spent preparing for and implementing the project Document this information in your journal

EXAMPLES OF SERVICE Coordinate a blood drive in collaboration with the regional/local blood bank Create an after school homework program for elementary students Coordinate a health fair with resources to address health disparity issues within your community

QUESTIONS ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?