SYLLABUS

SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECT

Semester One: Research & Proposal
Fall Semester 2016
Room: Aerospace Engineering School
Instructor: Lucas M. Fatsy, M. S.
Office: Aerospace 1st Floor Staff Room
E-mail: LFatsy@bridgeportedu.net
Office Hours: by appointment

I. COURSE INTRODUCTION.

First of all, what is a capstone?

capstone /kapstn/ noun. From archaeology. A large,

flat stone forming a roof over the chamber of a megalithic
tomb.

The capstone course is the last class in a program of study. Its

called a capstone because it represents a crowning achievement
as a capstone does in architecture. This capstone course
requires a project and subsequent presentation. Not to
mention, our course will involve a final research paper
exploring a topic of interest, emerging from a students elected
path of independent study. Ultimately, a capstone project represents new work and ideas, and gives
you the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have gained during your high school
career. This project should be the crowning achievement of your high school experience at Fairchild
Wheeler, and something you can brag about to colleges!!

The Capstone experience involves identifying a problem that exists in a real-world setting and
developing the means to address it. Capstone projects can be research-oriented or design-oriented.
Solutions are typically interactive, meaning the end product is something that can be implemented
and used.

Goals for the Capstone experience include:

Choosing a topic or focus you are passionate about

Clearly defining the problem or opportunity
Determining what techniques can be employed to master the supporting information in and
around this problem or opportunity
Synthesizing all aspects of the problem; integrate people, technology and information
Making a positive difference for the community; be it a business, school, library, hospital, or
other organization
Becoming an expert in your chosen focal area
XI. Academic Misconduct Policy:

A fundamental tenet of all educational institutions is academic honesty; academic work depends upon
respect for and acknowledgement of the research and ideas of others. Misrepresenting someone else's
work as one's own is a serious offense in any academic setting and it will not be condoned. Academic
misconduct includes, but is not limited to the following:

Providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of
work to be submitted for academic evaluation (e.g. papers, projects, and examinations).

Any attempt to influence improperly (e.g. bribery, threats) any member of the faculty, staff, or
administration of the school in any matter pertaining to academics or research.

Presenting as one's own work the ideas or words of another for academic evaluation.

Doing unauthorized academic work for which another person will receive credit or be evaluated.

Presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in two or more courses without the
explicit permission of the instructors involved. A student who knowingly assists another student in
committing an act of academic misconduct shall be equally accountable for the violation, and shall be
subject to the sanctions and other disciplinary actions determined by the Behavior Code and
administration review.

XII. MR. Fs NON-NEGOTIABLE CLASS RULES:

1 No entry into class without a lab coat on (and no, you cannot put it on inside)

2 BE ON TIME. Mr. F starts lectures on time. If you are late to class, a pass is required for entry.

3 Laptops are not taken out unless directed. Unnecessary distractions will not be tolerated.

4 Have all material with you when you get to class, if you forgot something in another class, you can pick
it up after the lecture, or during non-lecture time.

5 ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONE USE IN CLASS (not even as a calculator). 1st offense = warning,
2nd = phone taken & detention, 3rd = detention & parent must physically pick up phone
from Mr. F., 4th = Bridgeport Board of Education policy, phone given to Principal Lipp
and can be confiscated for 30 days as a disruption to education.

6 Earphones/ear buds will be taken away if you have them on at any time (unless, Mr. F is assigning
classwork in independent time, then they can be taken out of your backpack)

7 Use the rest room before class. You will lose too much time using the rest room during tests. If you
cannot wait, your cell phone must be left on Mr. Fs desk (no exceptions).

8 Class materials are your own responsibility.

9 Homework bins for all paper-based work is on the counter behind Mr. Fs desk

10 Packing up early is not allowed, if so, Mr. F will indicate, otherwise, we work to the bell! You will have
too much work to needlessly waste time packing up every day.

11 Dresscode is strictly enforced. All males collared shirts. All females nice top. NO T-SHIRTS!!!
XIII. POLICY ON TURNING IN WORK IN CAPSTONE

All dates are communicated ahead of time so there is absolutely no reason; barring an illness
accompanied by a doctors note (a parents note will not suffice) or family emergency, that work
is not turned in on time. Late work receives a zero (re-read the previous sentence). Drafts will
not be commented upon if they are not turned in by 11:59 p.m. on the day it is due. Drafts receive a
temporary grade and is replaced by the final grade after the final is submitted (students have one
week to amend drafts).

GRADING POLICY **

CATEGORY WEIGHT DESCRIPTION

Journal 10% Daily entries in journal, graded weekly/bi-weekly

Check-points 20% Individually graded sections of your proposal

Senior Seminars 30% Monthly seminar presentations

Proposal (Final E1 40% Final research proposal paper & presentation (each are worth
Grade) 20% of final grade)

** Quarter 1 is worth 30%, Quarter 2 is worth 30% and Project Proposal (E1) is worth 40%.
Therefore, there is no final exam.

Journal: Every Aero student will maintain a comprehensive engineering research journal in the manner and
style that you learned in your PLTW courses. This will be covered in detail with examples and checklists to
make you comfortable with its use and appreciative of its value. Should any of your projects generate
patentable technologies and/or products, then this journal will serve; with all of its brainstorming, research,
technical drawings, and authentication signatures, as proof of the work being your own and not someone elses.

Check Points: These are the formal graded sections of your research/design proposal. You will turn in a draft
copy to which comments and an informal grade will be given. You will then be given 7 days to make any
changes you wish to the document and resubmit for a final grade.

Senior Seminars: These are the presentations associated with your project. These are conducted in the very
same vein as college research seminars. There will be constructive feedback from your classmates and
afterwards, you can ask questions to solicit help from the class should you be struggling on a particular topic.
These are formal presentations with a PowerPoint presentation to guide you in which you will be graded both
on presentation ability and expertise youve gained in your focal area.

Proposal: This is the complete proposal document inclusive of all the sections and references. This will serve
as your exam grade for the course and will be accompanied by an accepted, accepted pending revisions, or
rejected classification. Execution of this proposal into action and physical design cannot occur until the
proposal has been approved. The importance of this is that your proposal lays out for the Research Committee:
1) what problem you plan to solve, 2) how you will structure the solution in terms of materials and
methodology, and, 3) serve as proof that you have become an expert on your chosen problem, solution, and
supporting science(s).

PROSPECTIVE COURSE (and potentially adaptable) TIMELINE *

 CATEGORY WEEKS DETAILS

Introduction To Capstone & 2 Introduction to class, learning how to brainstorm, use

Thinking, Branding creativity skills, think outside the box

Scientific & Engineering Method 1 Authentically learning about creating and running
experiments

Topic Generation 3 Create your own problem, question or idea

Research & Literature Review 4 In-depth researching your question, problem or idea

Methods, Timeline, Data 3 Completing these appropriate sections of the project

Collection Plan, Intended Results proposal
& Conclusions, References

2 Finalizing your project capstone proposal at this mid-year

checkpoint
Finalizing Proposal

* This course is part one of a two semester course. Project proposals will be the culminating
product (or final) of Semester 1 while the physical product (if engineering-based), research
paper, project presentation, and poster board will be the product of Semester 2. This boils
down to semester one as the background research and planning phase and semester two as the
execution phase in which you build, test or prototype your product/solution.

XIII. Detailed Semester Schedule (subject to change)

Day Date Content covered, HW assigned/due, seminars, check-ins

M 30 Jan Intro syllabus - course defined and policies reviewed
T 31 Jan Teacher(s) introduction.
Critical thinking and idea generation.
Activity: The two minute on the spot challenge
HW Research a Capstone project to share with class (institution, field, brief
description of work, problem it solves, who it is relevant to, your opinion of
how valuable it is) to present findings on Tuesday, 6 Sept.
W 1 Feb LABOR DAY: NO SCHOOL
R 2 Feb Anatomy of a research proposal: a further understanding of Capstone
Student share capstone project examples (2-minute shares) from 2 Sept HW. Electronic
version put into Google drive Capstone folder.
F 3 Feb How to choose a Capstone topic/project
How to write a problem statement & statement of purpose
NOTE: Topic paper and senior topic seminar (7-minutes) will be due on 23
Sept on or by 11:59 p.m.
Critical thinking fun: Intro to forced pairings and stories with holes
Work time topic research
M 6 Feb Critical thinking foundation. Whats in your critical thinking toolbox?
Critical thinking fun: Stories with holes and/or forced pairings
Work time topic research
T 7 Feb How to conduct background research: Mr. Fs tips to tackle writing a science tome!
Critical thinking fun: Stories with holes and/or can you solve the bridge riddle?
Work time topic research
W 8 Feb References cited sections: how to cite references correctly
 HW 5 project ideas, 15 questions for each idea, & at least 2 references cited
and your evaluations of each (Due Wednesday, 14 Sept by 11:59 p.m.)
Work time topic research
R 9 Feb REMINDER - Topic paper inclusive of problem statement and statement of
purpose to accompany SENIOR SEMINAR ONE (26-27 Sept). Topic paper due
to Google folder by 23 Sept.
Scientific method vs. engineering/design process
Critical thinking fun: Stories with holes and/or can you solve the prisoner hat riddle?
Work time topic research
F 10 Feb Activity: Scientific method vs. design process flow charting. Random topics drawn
M 13 Feb Problem statement review and intro to Statements of Purpose.
What is a literature review? Criteria for Capstone Project & rubric reviewed in detail.
Work time topic research

T 14 Feb Keeping a scientific journal

Can you solve Einsteins riddle?
Work time topic research
W 15 Feb Work day topic research
R 16 Feb Work day topic research
F 17 Feb No school Presidents Day Weekend
M 20 Feb No school Presidents Day Weekend
T 21 Feb No school Presidents Day Weekend
W 22 Feb Work day topic research
REMINDER - Topic Papers & problem statement due by 11:59 p.m.
R 23 Feb SENIOR SEMINAR Topic selection & informal support literature (7 minute)
Scientific journal check #1
F 24 Feb SENIOR SEMINAR Topic selection & informal support literature (7 minute)
M 27 Feb Introduction to proposal introductions and methodologies (aka materials and methods)
Work day introduction
NOTE: Introduction draft is due on Friday, 7 Oct. by 11:59 p.m. Missing this
deadline will also miss the associated draft feedback.
T 28 Feb Work day introduction
W 1 Mar Work day introduction
R 2 Mar Work day introduction
F 3 Mar Work day introduction
M 6 Mar Work day introduction
T 7 Mar Work day introduction
W 8 Mar Work day introduction
DRAFT OF INTRODUCTION IS DUE BY 11:59 p.m. (Receives provisionary
grade for first submittal, will change after revising and subsequent
submittal). Graded per sections I & II of rubric. Missing this deadline will also
miss the associated draft feedback
R 9 Mar Work day literature review
F 10 Mar Work day literature review
NOTE: Literature review draft is due on Friday, 28 Oct

NOTES: Introduction and literature review senior seminar (20-minute

presentation) will be held on 9-10 Nov. Literature review is due on by 11:59
p.m.

Scientific journal check #2

M 13 Mar Work day literature review
T 14 Mar Work day literature review
W 15 Mar Work day literature review
 FINAL DRAFT OF INTRODUCTION IS DUE BY 11:59 p.m
R 16 Mar Work day literature review
F 17 Mar Work day literature review
Scientific journal check #3
M 20 Mar Work day literature review
T 21 Mar Work day literature review
W 22 Mar Half Day
R 23 Mar Work day literature review
Scientific journal check #4
F 24 Mar Work day literature review
M 27 Mar HALF DAY
Work day literature review
T 28 Mar Work day literature review
W 29 Mar Work day literature review
DRAFT literature review draft is due by 11:59 p.m. (receives provisionary
grade for first submittal, will change after revising and subsequent
submittal). Graded per section III of rubric
R 30 Mar Work day literature review
Scientific journal check #5
F 31 Mar Work day literature review
M 3 Apr Work day literature review
REMINDER One week until introduction and literature review senior
seminar
T 4 Apr Work day literature review
W 5 Apr Work day literature review
REMINDER - DRAFT OF LITERATURE REVIEW DUE BY 11:59 p.m. Missing
this deadline will also miss the associated draft feedback.
R 5 Apr Work day Methodology
Scientific journal check #6
F 6 Apr Work day Methodology
M 10 Apr SENIOR SEMINAR Introduction and literature review (15 minutes)
T 11 Apr SENIOR SEMINAR Introduction and literature review (15 minutes)
W 12 Apr Work day Methodology
R 13 Apr Work day Methodology
NOTE: Draft of methodology is due on 2 Dec
F 14 Apr Work day Methodology
M 17 Apr Work day Methodology
T 18 Apr HALF DAY - Report card conferences
Work day Methodology
W 19 Apr HALF DAY Report card conferences
Work day Methodology
R 20 Apr Work day Methodology
Scientific journal check #7
REMINDER FINAL DRAFT LITERATURE REVIEW DUE BY 11:59 p.m.
Missing this deadline will also miss the associated draft feedback.
F 21 Apr Work day - Methodology
M 24 Apr HALF DAY - Work day - Methodology
T 25 Apr HALF DAY - Work day - Methodology
W 26 Apr NO SCHOOL Happy Maleagris gallapavo day!!
R 27 Apr Work day - Methodology
F 28 Apr Work day - Methodology
M 1 May Work day - Methodology
T 2 May Work day - Methodology
W 3 May Work day - Methodology
 REMINDER - methodology section draft due (receives provisionary grade for
first submittal, will change after revising and subsequent submittal). Graded
per section IV of rubric
R 4 May Work day Intended results
F 5 May Work day Intended results
NOTE: intended results section draft due by 11:59 p.m., Friday, 16 Dec.
M 8 May Work day Intended results
T 9 May Work day Intended results
W 10 May HALF DAY
Work day Intended results
REMINDER final methodology section draft due by 11:59 p.m.
R 11 May Work day Intended results
Scientific journal check #8
F 12 May Work day Intended results
M 15 May Work day Intended results
T 16 May Work day Intended results
W 17 May Work day Intended results
REMINDER intended results section draft due (receives provisionary grade
for first submittal, will change after revising and subsequent submittal).
Graded per section V of rubric
R 18 May Work day conclusions & recommendations
NOTE: conclusions & recommendations section draft due on Thursday, 22 Dec
Scientific journal check #9
F 19 May Work day conclusions & recommendations
M 22 May Work day conclusions & recommendations
T 23 May Work day conclusions & recommendations
REMINDER FINAL INTENDED RESULTS SECTION DUE BY 11:59 p.m.
REMINDER Conclusions & Recommendations section draft due (receives
provisionary grade for first submittal, will change after revising and
subsequent submittal). Graded per section VI of rubric
W 24 May Work Day
R 25 May Work Day
F 26 May Work Day
M 29 May Work day Abstract & References Cited
NOTE: Abstract & References Cited sections final drafts due 10 Jan
T 30 May Half day
Work day Abstract & References Cited
REMINDER FINAL CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS SECTION DUE
BY 11:59 p.m.
W 31 May Work day Abstract & References Cited
R 1 Jun HALF DAY
F 2 Jun Work day Abstract & References Cited
M 5 Jun Work day - Poster
REMINDER Abstract and References Cited final draft due. (receives
provisionary grade for first submittal, will change after revising and
subsequent submittal). Graded per rubric, sections I & VII
REMINDER FINAL DRAFT OF COMPLTED PROPOSAL DUE BY 11:59 p.m. on
Friday, 13 Jan
T 6 Jun SENIOR SEMINAR Methodology and intended outcomes (20 minutes)
W 7 Jun SENIOR SEMINAR Methodology and intended outcomes (20 minutes)
R 8 Jun SENIOR SEMINAR Methodology and intended outcomes (20 minutes)
F 9 Jun SENIOR SEMINAR Methodology and intended outcomes (20 minutes)
M 12 Jun Finals week Project poster due in class
T 13 Jun Finals week Project poster due in class
W 14 Jun Finals week Project poster due in class
R 15 Jun Finals week Project poster due in class
F 16 Jun Finals week Project poster due in class

ENGINEERING COLLEGES THAT RUN SENIOR CAPSTONE ***

*** This is only a miniscule list of the many engineering schools that offer senior capstone