May 2, 2022
It's a full @GOCAPSedu Showcase 💼
— Springfield Public Schools (@officialSPS) April 28, 2022
Seniors from all five GO CAPS strands are presenting Capstone projects tonight. These year-long projects were developed alongside internships and hands-on industry exploration. pic.twitter.com/bqzxUjrlfw
Madi Mickel has always loved being super-efficient.
The Central High School senior is fascinated by data points and increasing efficiency. Her mind is methodical and her solutions practical, so the GO CAPS Engineering & Manufacturing Strand was the best place and way to learn and grow for two years, she says.
“I’ve always liked efficiency and I didn’t realize that there are efficiency managers or engineers,” said Madi. “I got to meet one in my GO CAPS classroom, and then I realized that’s exactly what I wanted to do, and my internship at SRC has helped me learn even more.”
Mickel was one of nearly 100 GO CAPS students who participated in the GO CAPS Capstone Showcase April 28. Like Madi, students participated in internships, job shadowing and intensive project-based career exploration experiences for one or two years within one of three strands: Engineering and Manufacturing; Business & Entrepreneurship; and Medicine and Health Care.
Parkview High School senior Cassie Decker built the Homemade Haven, a virtual craft fair, combining the experience of a craft festival and the functionality of ecommerce. Cassie built the website concept this year as part of her experience in the Business and Entrepreneurship strand.
“When you build something, you have to keep trying and keep going until you figure it out,” said Cassie. “GO CAPS has helped me get out of my comfort zone and keep trying new things with projects instead of a traditional class. It’s a ton of responsibility and a lot of work, but I’ve loved it.”
Walking through the eFactory Idea Loft, GO CAPS coordinator and director of student experiences Dana Hubbard asks students questions and listens to their learning. The Capstone Showcase is the culminating event, but for students, it’s just the beginning, she says.
“There are many, many students in GO CAPS who are actively working in internships with companies that would hire them immediately after they walked off the stage at graduation,” said Hubbard. “But we also have students who have a crystal clear vision of what they want to pursue in a career. That is the success of GO CAPS.”
