Capstone Project — Student Planning Guide
Used in: Weeks 15–18 (Value Creation Project)
This guide walks you through every step of planning your capstone project. Complete each section in order as you move through Weeks 15–18.
Use school, library, club, neighborhood, classroom, community, or fictional examples if a home-based example feels too personal. Use estimated or sample costs instead of private family financial details.
Week 15: Finding a Problem
Step 1 — Observe and List
Look around your school, library, club, neighborhood, or another community space you know. If a home example feels too personal, use a classroom, community, or fictional one.
| # | Problem or Need I Noticed | Who Has This Problem? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 5 |
Step 2 — Pick Your Top Problem
From the list above, choose the one problem you are most interested in solving.
The problem I want to solve: ______________________________________________________
Why this problem matters: ______________________________________________________
Who would benefit from a solution? ______________________________________________________
Week 16: Designing a Solution
Step 3 — Brainstorm Solutions
Think of at least three different ways to solve your chosen problem.
| Solution Idea | What I Like About It | What Might Be Hard |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ||
| 2. | ||
| 3. |
Step 4 — Choose Your Best Solution
The solution I will build: ______________________________________________________
Why I chose this one: ______________________________________________________
Step 5 — Describe Your Product or Service
Answer these questions about your solution:
- What is it? ______________________________________________________
- How does it work? ______________________________________________________
- Who is it for? ______________________________________________________
- What value does it create? (How does it help people?) ______________________________________________________
- Is it a product, a service, or both? ______________________________________________________
Step 6 — Draw or Sketch Your Idea
Use the space below (or a separate sheet) to draw what your solution looks like. Label the important parts.
(Sketch space — use a blank sheet of paper if printing)
Week 17: Resources and Costs
Step 7 — List What You Need
What resources (materials, time, help) do you need to make your solution?
| Resource | Why You Need It | Estimated Cost | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ | |||
| $ | |||
| $ | |||
| $ | |||
| $ |
Step 8 — Create a Budget
Use only the rows that fit your age and project. Younger learners can skip the time-value row and focus on materials, help, and other direct costs.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Materials | $ |
| Time (optional extension: hours × value per hour) | $ |
| Help from others | $ |
| Other costs | $ |
| Total Cost | $ |
Step 9 — Set a Price (If Applicable)
If you were going to sell your product or service:
- How much would you charge? $__________
- Why this price? ______________________________________________________
- How many would you need to sell to cover your costs? __________
Step 10 — Identify Tradeoffs
Every project involves tradeoffs. Identify at least two.
| Tradeoff | What You Chose | What You Gave Up (Opportunity Cost) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ||
| 2. |
Week 18: Sharing Value
Step 11 — Prepare Your Presentation
Your presentation should cover:
- ☐ The problem you identified
- ☐ Your solution (product or service)
- ☐ Who it helps and how
- ☐ What resources you needed
- ☐ Your budget and pricing
- ☐ Tradeoffs you made
- ☐ What you learned from the process
Step 12 — Practice Your Pitch
Write a short pitch (3–5 sentences) that explains your project:
Step 13 — Self-Assessment
Before presenting, honestly rate yourself:
| Skill | Getting Started | On Track | Shining |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can explain the problem I chose | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| I can describe my solution clearly | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| I created a realistic budget | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| I can explain my tradeoffs | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| I used vocabulary from our lessons | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| I am ready to present to the group | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Step 14 — Reflection (After Presenting)
Answer these questions after your presentation:
- What went well in your presentation?
- What would you do differently next time?
- What is the most important thing you learned during this project?
- How has your thinking about money and value changed since Week 1?
Key Vocabulary to Use
Try to include these terms from our curriculum in your project and presentation:
| Term | Where We Learned It |
|---|---|
| Value | Week 1 |
| Trade / Barter | Week 2 |
| Opportunity cost | Week 9 |
| Budget | Week 10 |
| Needs vs. Wants | Week 4 |
| Interest | Week 13 |
| Risk | Week 11 |
| Inflation | Week 14 |
Facilitator Notes
- This guide is designed to be worked through across Weeks 15–18, one section per week.
- Encourage learners to keep this guide in a folder or binder as their project develops.
- The self-assessment in Step 13 mirrors the capstone rubric — use it as a pre-assessment conversation tool.
- Learners who finish early can help peers as "project consultants."