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fountain valley school

SENIOR CAPSTONE

focusING on student passions and interests through the lens of experiential ed and real-world MENTORS

The Senior Capstone at Fountain Valley School provides students with opportunities to dive into a topic of their own choosing and design an in-depth research project based on their unique interests and discoveries. Whether conducting research on campus, taking part in an internship, executing an independent project, or shadowing a mentor during off-campus experiences, students work to gain professional know-how and narrow their career pursuits. 

How It Works

Students spend the first semester of their senior year engaging in idea generation and determining the focus of their Capstone projects for semester two*. As a culmination of the course, each student presents what they’ve learned and attends presentations from their peers.

*Students who wish to pursue a Global Scholar / STEM Diploma must begin the process in their junior year and may use this work as part of their culminating Capstone experience. For students interested in pursuing the year-long Honors Capstone program, they must also have a solid working idea of their Capstone project before the end of their junior year.

Pursue Your Passions

Capstone Projects of the Past

Opportunities for exploration through the Senior Capstone truly are endless. Former FVS students have participated in the below research projects, and more.

YOUR FUTURE IS AN OPEN BOOK

Write a novel.

BREAK THE MOLD

Explore the field of woodworking, printmaking, or video game design.

SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND SOAR

Study the valuable role birds of prey play in our ecosystem while working at a local raptor center and sanctuary.

MAP YOUR FUTURE

Study architecture and 3D design.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Pursue your passions for veterinary medicine, or study land management and sustainability by working alongside the School’s Ranch manager.

LET YOUR IMAGINATION TAKE FLIGHT

Explore rocket technology or flight training.

STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Delve deep into the world of robotics.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE

Produce your own music or enhance your baking skills.

An Inside Look at
2024 Senior Capstone
Presentations

Congratulations to all our graduating seniors on completing the Capstone and to those who completed the year-long Global Scholars / STEM Diploma program.

RIHO K.

Riho shows off the video game she created
Game Design and Sound Engineering Through Everyday Objects

Riho K.’s Senior Capstone project on Game Design and Sound Engineering Through Everyday Objects consisted of designing the interactive narrative game, "A Yearlong Journey at Mountain Rally School of Ohio." Set in a high school setting, each player’s decisions determine how their senior year will pan out. “The main character of the game, controlled by the player, is a one-year senior who must navigate the difficulties and encounters experienced throughout their time at Mountain Rally School.” Riho says. 

Riho’s creativity stretched far as she added original details to the game, such as sound effects “made with the program called Specdrums, which can turn any color into sound,” she explains.

 

Read more

WILL G. & TANNER M.

Two students in the FVS recording studio.
Road to Rock Stardom: Making Modern Music

Will G. and Tanner M. collaborated on the Senior Capstone titled Road to Rock Stardom: Making Modern Music, as both worked diligently throughout the semester to achieve milestone goals in the music world, including writing lyrics, composing guitar riffs, and recording original audio. “[We] tackled and learned practically every aspect of music composition,” says Will, noting that the end result was “the creation of several alternative rock songs with one of our songs, Material Stranger, being fully recorded and mixed.” 

Will adds, “The project provided invaluable knowledge into the composition process and ignited a newfound passion for creating music. I have no doubt that Tanner and I will continue to do so in the future.”

LAUREN C.

Lauren C. and her Pyramid Model Teacher Kit
Lauren C (2024 Capstone)

Throughout her Senior Capstone, COVID-19's Impact on Social-Emotional Development, Lauren C. explored the impact of external stressors, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, on the social-emotional development of infants and toddlers. “My findings revealed significant setbacks in language, social communication, fine motor skills, and social-emotional competencies among children born during the pandemic,” said Lauren, who spent the semester examining disruptions to early childhood education, caregiver dynamics, and support service access due to COVID-19. With her goal being to explore effective solutions for supporting children's recovery post-pandemic, Lauren collaborated closely with the local business known as The Edification Station. The end result: developing tools that can be used by educators to facilitate children's understanding of emotions, promote emotional regulation, and foster conflict-resolution skills.

 

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Meet Our Capstone Directors

Student presents before a group.