The exhibit at the Manchester Community Library offered a peek into the minds of local middle schoolers. As their eighth grade year comes to a close, students of the Taconic and Green showcase their learning with a Capstone Project - an in-depth exploration of a topic of their own choosing.
“Each student applies the knowledge gained in the basics of language, science, and math to research, analyze, and support an opinion on a question important to them,” said Tracy Zaino, T&G’s Middle Level Instructional Coach. “It’s a chance to bridge the gap between academics and practical real-world experience.”
The Capstone Projects are featured at each of the three T&G Middle Schools: Flood Brook, Manchester Elementary Middle School, and The Dorset School. The students use posters, three-dimensional dioramas, slide presentations, laptops and more to present and defend their findings. Parents, staff and classmates from the younger grades are invited to check out the work, ask questions, and comment on what they see.
“The Capstone Projects definitely raised the bar this year,” said one middle school parent. “The students were well-prepared, engaging and really knew a lot about their subjects.”
And the range of subjects was varied and wide. Will electric planes be the future of flying? How do we compare the benefits of gas or diesel fuel? Is overfishing a threat to our food supply? How important is ethics in healthcare? How can we minimize the presence of plastics in the ocean? What can be done about combat food deserts? Robotics. Artificial Intelligence. and much more.
For the grand finale, this year the Capstone Projects moved to the Manchester Community Library where the T&G eighth graders from all three schools were able to share and explore the work of their peers.
“Putting all the projects under one roof is a joy to witness. The magnitude of the work was impressive,” said Zaino. “The kids enjoyed soaking in the wide range of topics and comparing notes. We’ve been doing this for five years and it just keeps getting better.”
(Photo above: For the grand finale, the Capstone Projects moved to the Manchester Community Library where the T&G eighth graders from all three schools were able to share and explore the work of their peers.)
T&G’s Middle Level Instructional Coach Tracy Zaino (center left) listens as students present their Capstone Project at the exhibition held at the Manchester Community Library.
Students at MEMS share and defend their Capstone findings with classmates.
The Flood Brook Capstone showcase included a wide range of topics including electric planes, healthcare, robotics, food deserts, artificial intelligence, climate change, and immigration.
Middle school students at The Dorset School proudly showcase their Capstone projects with friends.