BMF CAPSTONE PROJECT UNITS
CREATED BY CAROLYN KNODE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY MARYLAND
How many units will divide this course? 7
Please, list by name the units
I.
Introduction & Overview of the Maryland BMF Capstone Project
II.
Capstone Project Proposal
III.
Research Process
IV.
Presentation
V.
Capstone Showcase
VI.
Reflection/Evaluation
VII.
Capstone Portfolio
VIII.
CLEP Test Preparation
IX.
Career Portfolio
Complete the following chart by identifying the unit by name and including a brief description that includes the
estimated duration, purpose, major activities, and the end or unit assessment/benchmark.
Introduction to
Capstone
Project
Purpose:
 To share the background and rationale for the Capstone Project.
 To review the types of capstone projects that may be selected: research, virtual
enterprise, internship, work-based learning, service learning, community service, etc.
Major Activities:
 Topics of interest identified
 Review of past projects (hardcopies, power points, portfolio, videos)
Estimated Duration: 1 week
Assessment/Benchmark:
 Completed classwork/homework points to be assigned
 No formal evaluation
Capstone
Project
Proposal
Purpose:
 To share the background and rationale for the Capstone Project.
Major Activities:
 Task Sheet, Timeline, and Deliverables developed by student and approved by
instructor
 Final Project Proposal
Estimated Duration: 2 weeks
Assessment/Benchmark:
 Completed classwork/homework points to be assigned (core question, task sheet,
timeline, deliverables, weekly time sheet, etc.)
 Formal evaluation
o Final Project Proposal
o Marking Period Reflections
Research
Process
Purpose:
 Prepare a research-based written paper using MLA documentation
Major Activities:
 Mini-Lessons
 Draft of Final Paper
 Final Paper
 Peer Evaluation
Estimated Duration: Completed over two marking periods
Assessment/Benchmark:
 Completed classwork/homework points to be assigned (core question, mini-lesson
assignments, working bibliography, working outline, drafts, weekly time sheet, etc.)
 Formal evaluation
o Final Research Paper – Research Paper Rubric
o Marking Period Reflections
The
Presentation
Purpose:
 To prepare a power point to be presented to a review panel at the Capstone Showcase
 To prepare handouts, flyers, a product, etc., to accompany the formal presentation
Major Activities:
 MS PowerPoint
 Support Materials
 Peer Evaluation
Estimated Duration: 3 weeks
Assessment/Benchmark:
 Completed classwork/homework points to be assigned (handouts, PPT draft, peer
reviews, weekly time sheet, etc.)
 Formal evaluation
o Final power point – PPT Rubric
o Marking Period Reflections
Capstone
Showcase
Purpose:
 To plan and organize an event or activity
 To showcase students’ accomplishments
 To present an oral presentation that demonstrates the research and knowledge learned
from completing the Capstone Project
 To evaluate the project by a review panel of business leaders, community leaders,
and/or school staff
Major Activities:
 Student committees responsible for all aspects of the showcase
 Recognition
Estimated Duration: 1 week preparation
Assessment/Benchmark:
 Completed classwork/homework points to be assigned (committee work assignments,
weekly time sheet, etc.)
 Formal evaluation
o Panel of Business Leaders’ Evaluations – oral presentation rubric
Reflection/
Evaluation
Purpose:
 To review and think critically about the process of completing a major project
 To provide feedback to the instructor for improving the Capstone Project experience.
Major Activities:
 Capstone Project Self-Evaluation/Reflection
 Capstone Project Course Evaluation
Estimated Duration: 2 days
Assessment/Benchmark:
 Completed classwork/homework points to be assigned (weekly time sheet, course
evaluation, etc.)
 Formal evaluation
o Reflective Essay – self-reflection rubric
Capstone
Portfolio
Purpose:
 To document the entire Capstone Project journey
 To show college admissions counselors and future employers student organizational
and time management skills, research skills, and ability to reflect on and grow from
work completed
Estimated Duration: ongoing
Assessment/Benchmark:
 Formal evaluation will occur at the end of each marking period (graded for
completeness)
CLEP Test
Preparation
Purpose:
 To prepare accounting and business management program completers for the CLEP test
Major Activities:
 Pre-Test
 Mini-Lessons
 Post-Tests
Estimated Duration: ongoing
Assessment/Benchmark:
 Completed classwork/homework points to be assigned (weekly time sheet, pre-test,
post-test(s), exercises, etc.)
 Formal evaluation
o Quizzes for individual mini-lessons
o Post-Test: based on improvement
o Official CLEP Test – completion only!
Career
Portfolio
Purpose:
 To review and think critically about the process of completing a major project
 To provide feedback to the instructor for improving the Capstone Project experience.
Major Activities:
 Portfolio Development
 Interview Readiness
 Workplace Expectations
Estimated Duration: ongoing
Assessment/Benchmark:
 Completed classwork/homework points to be assigned (weekly time sheet, informal
reviews of portfolio contents, online activities, etc.)
 Formal evaluation
o Final Portfolio –rubric
o Mock Interview – FBLA Interview rubric
Notes:
For each unit identify the major lessons (less is more)
Introduction to
Capstone
Project
Warm-up: No Trash Talk, Please!
Capstone
Project
Proposal
Warm-up: The Sky’s the Limit
Research
Process
Warm-up: Where’s Waldo
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
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Overview of the Capstone Project
Course syllabus/project agreement signed by student and parent
Daily task worksheet explained (sample provided)
Topics of interest identified
Review of past projects (hardcopies, power points, portfolio, videos)
 Writing Your Core Question
 Documenting Your Journey
 Introduce the Capstone Project Portfolio
 Task Sheet developed by student and approved by instructor
 Timeline Sheet developed by student and approved by instructor
 Schedule of Deliverables developed by student and approved by instructor
 Writing Your Final Project Proposal
 Reflecting on Your Progress (marking period reflection)
Mini-Lessons: Research Process from Beginning to End
Final Core Question (thesis statement)
Working Bibliography
Working Outline
Draft of Final Paper (submitted by section—introduction, methodology, findings,
recommendations, conclusion)
 Final Paper submitted in MLA format (title page, outline, body, works cited, working
bibliography)
 Peer Evaluation





The
Presentation
Warm-up: Put Your Best Foot Forward
Capstone
Showcase
Warm-up: Show Time!
 MS PowerPoint components
 Product prepared: display board, handouts, flyers, product, samples, etc.
 Class presentation for peer review
 Practice Makes Perfect – Practice Feedback Form (3 minimum)
 Planning a Major Event – Committee Work by Students
 Attendees to be identified by the students and/or instructor
 Formal invitations designed by students
 Facilities request form completed by students; approved by instructor
 Program developed and designed by students
 Decorations, food, etc., to be decided by the students
 Recognition
o Certificates of Appreciation – mentors, review panel, etc.
o Certificates of Completion – all students
o Individual Monetary Awards – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Reflection/
Evaluation
 Capstone Project Self-Evaluation/Reflection
 Capstone Project Course Evaluation
Capstone
Portfolio
Checklist:
 Cover page
 Letter of Introduction to Review Panel
 Table of Contents
 Project Proposal Approval form
 Research Paper (final clean copy) followed by graded rubric
 PPT Presentation Outline (notes page view) – followed by graded rubric
 Reflection Essay followed by reflection worksheet
 Research Documentation – Task Sheet, Schedule of Deliverables, Time Sheet, etc.
 Appendix - Oral Presentation Rubric completed by panel, Presentation Practice
Feedback, Peer Evaluations for Research Paper and Presentation, Portfolio Checklist
Warm-up: What’s Your Line?
Career
Portfolio
Notes:
 Portfolio Development
 Cover Letter (college/admissions)
 Resume
 References (minimum of three)
 Applications (college and employment)
 Appendix: Job Skills Index, Mock Interview Evaluation, Self-Evaluation
 Interview Readiness
 Interview Repair Kit
 90-Second Commercial
 Thank You Letter
 Workplace Expectations
 Goal Setting
 Soft-Skills