The Capstone workgroup finalized the short definition of “Capstone” at Evergreen, which we’ve included below followed by a longer explanatory definition. The workgroup will attend the February 22 Path Conveners Meeting for feedback on work so far.

One-sentence definition : A Capstone is a significant culminating experience through which a student demonstrates their accumulated depth of knowledge and their ability to use what they’ve learned in a way that matters to them.   

Longer definition:  The capstone is a culminating project (like a senior thesis) or experience (internship or community service) which, by its completion and through critical reflection, shows that “students  . . . know what they know and understand their own growth over time in their chosen fields.”*  (* Reinventing Undergraduate Education: A Blueprint for America’s Research Universities, April 1998).  At Evergreen, senior capstones include original research projects, formal senior theses, major projects and papers, artistic productions, study abroad projects, advanced or cumulative work through programs, internships or community engagement. No matter the structural forms, capstones hold in common the opportunity for students to engage in purposeful practice and integrative learning. Well-designed capstones help students prepare and plan for post-graduate success.  

 Evergreen students can demonstrate their individual grasp of our Six Expectations by completing a capstone, which demands depth of knowledge, integration, and independence. Capstone experiences provide an important opportunity for students to synthesize the knowledge and skills they’ve gained and the modes of learning they’ve acquired throughout their time at Evergreen. 

We suspect that current practices tend to obscure the number of culminating capstone-like projects and experiences students are completing, but that they also tend to limit the opportunities of students who don’t “work the system”, recognize the value of a capstone, or receive the advice or support of faculty and staff. We take increasing the recognition (and fact) of student success through capstones, support for student ambition, and equity of opportunity as our key goals.  

Currently at Evergreen, capstone projects and experiences arise in different venues, both by design and by chance: within programs and courses and during study abroad; in SOSs, ILCs, and Internships. Some conform to the “fields” associated with paths of study or with faculty specializations, while others are outside of paths and unique to the student.