Designing Meaningful Capstones: Authentic Projects with Purpose

Capstones are extended, student-driven projects that synthesize prior knowledge, new perspectives gained from credible research, opportunities for reflection and self-assessment, and culminate in a student-led presentation of their work.. They offer a powerful way to measure deep learning and student growth. Whether you're designing for the 8th grade civics project, graduation portfolios, or another context, this session provides tools to plan and implement capstones that center student voice and connect learning to real-world problem solving. You'll explore clear models, backward design strategies, and planning moves that make capstones both manageable for educators and meaningful for students. 

Cor creative partners is DESE-certified to support Project-Based Learning and Service Learning; Civic Engagement, Service and Volunteerism, and Civic Preparation; Assessment; Student Agency, Leadership, and Voice; and STEAM. Our team members also have extensive experience and success working in different capacities within the College Board’s AP Capstone program.

This session is applicable to both teachers and school leaders in secondary settings.