Let the Festivals Begin

The end of Fall Semester is fast approaching, which means Senior Capstones are nearing. Dec. 15-16 capstones will be presented throughout campus at the University Center, Reading Center, Media Learning Center, and the Tanimura and Antle Family Memorial Library.

Capstones are a fundamental part of a student’s learning experience. The project is a semester to a full years work.

Dominick Guglielmo, senior, Teledramatic Arts and Technology (TAT), said, “It’s the culmination of what you’ve learned here at school along with how you could apply it to the real world.”

“It allows us to explore our own topic of interest and present what we have gained through CSUMB in a professional way,” said Linnea Hoffman, senior, Liberal Studies (LS).

It is a level above the work students are accustomed to completing. It tests strengths they may not have known they could access. Capstone is a true test of will and wherewithal to create a meaningful project, while meeting expectations and requirements.

“Capstone is vital because it is usually the first time students are faced with a problem that they must wrestle with for more than a day or a week like a normal homework assignment. In capstone, the problems that students take on need months of effort, thought, and research. This type of problem solving reflects what students will face in their careers and lives after CSUMB,” said Dr. Rachel Esselstein, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Students do a variety of creative projects. Guglielmo created a short film about a diamond heist, Jack of Diamond. He spent a semester in pre-production, 14 hours in production of the film, and hours of editing in post-production. Hoffman’s project consisted of finding the best resources for students who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). She has slowly been building this project for over a year.
Resources are a huge factor in capstones for most majors. Students are asked to use outside sources to gain other views and assistance in completion of their capstones.

Hoffman said, “We are required to conduct interviews, surveys, and/or observations. I have been in many classrooms and have talked with many professionals who have experience working with ADHD students.”

Guglielmo had a full crew of mostly TAT students assisting in production of the film.

“I’ve used a ton of outside resources for the movie. I rented out an airplane hangar from the city of Marina to film and had the help of various friends that agreed to come and act,” said Guglielmo.

Fall Capstone Festival has a propensity to take a back seat to Spring Capstone Festival. It can be forgotten or dismissed because even if a student graduates in fall, they do not walk until spring graduation ceremony. Linnea Hoffman thinks there is a much smaller awareness by students for Fall Capstone Festival.

“The fact that our capstone presentation doesn’t come the day before graduation ceremony makes it feel less significant. I’m still proud of my work. I just don’t think that presenting what I have done will come with as big of a reception those who present in the spring will receive.”

Capstone is a growing concept, constantly undergoing changes to improve the student experience and outcome. It is not every major, but certain majors are seeing differences.

“Many departments have been re-evaluating or re-envisioning what their capstone process is. Faculty [members] from across campus have been meeting for the past year and a half to discuss how to strengthen the capstone experience for the students. Some departments have made changes based upon the work done in these meetings,” said Esselstein. “Many students use capstone as a springboard for their careers. In many departments, students must work closely with community partners and often these partnerships turn into job offers or strong references for job applications.”