AGRISCIENCE - BIOTECHNOLOGY
Capstone Project
General Guidelines
Expectations
The capstone project is to be the original work of the student. The final project should bring
reflection and focus to the entire pathway learning experience and integrate facets of the
pathway’s concentration as well as incorporate concepts from related disciplines in
biotechnology. The capstone project should address a specific issue or problem relative to the
student, school, or community that is related to biotechnology and presented in a scholarly
format.
Course Description
The capstone project is a culminating learning experience requiring the application of knowledge
and skills from the agriscience pathway. The capstone project comprises independent work
culminating in a solution to an issue or problem that is presented through scholarly writing and
presentation.
Prerequisites
I. Completion of the agriscience pathway
II. Senior standing in the academic year of the capstone project
Learning Experiences
Research based with input from instructors and professionals in the field that culminates in a
solution to an issue or problem. This will be accomplished through the application of agriscience
and biotechnology skills so that the capstone project clearly demonstrates mastery of
biotechnology standards.
Capstone Project Procedures
I.
Develop a project proposal with guidance from an agriculture instructor that builds upon
knowledge and skills learned in the agriscience pathway to master biotechnology
standards.
II.
Submit the capstone project proposal for approval.
III.
The project proposal must be approved within the first 3 weeks of fall semester. A
complete proposal is to include:
a. Capstone project proposal and approval form (template provided)
b. Background and rationale (issue to improve / problem to solve)
c. Purpose and objectives
d. Description of how the project will apply skills and knowledge gained in the
agriscience pathway and how completion of the project will allow you to mastery
of biotechnology standards
e. Methods and procedures to be used in completion of the project (field tests,
experiments, etc.)
f. Description of how the project will be formatted for submission to the regional
science fair, the FFA agriscience research and experimentation SAE , and final
presentation/interview
IV.
Upon receiving approval for the capstone project students will retain all evidence,
artifacts, and other materials in an electronic format for the purpose of creating an
electronic portfolio of their capstone project.
V.
Prior to the midpoint of fall semester, students will submit a written summary of their
capstone project thus far. The report must include the following:
a. Detailed explanation of the issue or problem being addressed
b. Literary review of research material
c. Evidence of interviews and collaboration with peers, instructors, and
professionals in the biotechnical field
d. Hypothesis and plan for experimentation
Prior to the last week of fall semester, students will submit a first draft of the capstone
project that meets the submission requirements for the regional science fair and the FFA
agriscience research and experimentation SAE. This will include an electronic portfolio
outlining the student’s work in the capstone project.
Prior to the midpoint of spring semester, students will utilize instructor feedback from
their first draft submission to improve their capstone project and submit the project in the
regional science fair and FFA agriscience research and experimentation SAE. The current
electronic portfolio will be resubmitted to the agriculture instructor.
Prior the last week of spring semester, students will present a 15 minute demonstration of
their capstone project to a panel of teachers, administrators, and biotechnology
professionals. This will include the following:
a. How the capstone project addresses an issue or problem that is relevant to the
student through applied biotechnology.
b. How prior agriscience knowledge influenced the formulation of the hypothesis.
c. Demonstration of experimentation.
d. Findings, conclusions, solutions.
e. A defense of protocols, methods, and findings of the capstone project through a
panel interview.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
Evaluation
Weekly progress will be monitored and evaluated through instructor review of weekly capstone
project action plan submissions and rubrics (template provided). The journal entries will
communicate student’s weekly plan to master specific biotechnology standards and the evidence
/ artifacts they will document in their electronic portfolio. Instructors will review and approve the
plan, with amendments as needed. At the end of each week students will submit that week’s
approved plan, electronic portfolio, rubric with self-assessment, and the next week’s plan for
approval. Nine week progress reports will reflect the students’ progress to date taking into
consideration weekly action plans and other required submissions. Evaluations will utilize a
standards based rubric, to be developed by agriculture instructors, that outlines standards and
elements with descriptors of what constitutes levels of mastery (exceeds, meets, progressing).