A capstone project is a culminating academic experience that represents a student's final achievement in their program of study. It's an opportunity for students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they've acquired throughout their academic journey by applying them to a real-world problem or issue.

SYA Capstone Project focuses on addressing a significant research question chosen by the student. The Capstone usually  involves drawing upon multiple disciplines, such as social science, politics, arts, psychology, environmental science and technology. Yet, as part of the French language course, this research project has to be culturally relevant and place-based. Throughout the project, an academic tutor provides support and regular feedbacks to the student. Yet, the Capstone is a rigorous and challenging project that requires the student to take ownership of his/her project and gain autonomy. In the end, the student demonstrate his/her ability to conduct research, synthesize information, and present his/her findings effectively in front of a jury.

Here are examples of projects that I have supervised as an Environmental Science and Experiential French Teacher at Ecole Américaine de Rennes. Please note this is a non-exhaustive list.

2024, Spring Semester :

Organic Dairy Production in Brittany
Adeline studied the manufacture of dairy products in Brittany. Her objective was to trace the manufacturing process of dairy products, starting with milking, then following the successive transformations of the milk, and ending with market sales. She visited the facilities of a local farm (cowshed, milking room, cheese-making room, etc.), which enabled her to talk to producers and experience the entire cheese-making process.

Environmentally-friendly mobility
Angelina studied the deployment of sustainable transportation networks in Rennes. She met with the Rennes Métropole's transportation department manager to learn about the future city urban planning. She also carried out a field survey to collect citizen's opinion about sustainable transportation and future facilities.

Into the daily life of fishermen
For her Capstone, Angela decided to investigate the daily life of Breton fishermen. From February onwards, she wrote emails to contact local associations, and also went to the Lices market to talk to fishermen. Then, she went to Plougrescant, a small fishing village in the Côtes d'Armor region. Here, she met oyster farmers who explained the various aspects of their trade. 

Urban parks and stress reduction
Lucy decided to study the benefits of urban parks on the mental health of the urban citizen in Rennes. She began by researching the literature on the subject and prepared a few questions which she put to volunteer passerbys. Her statistical analysis revealed a strong correlation between a will to reduce stress, calm enjoyement and park frequentation.


2023, Spring Semester :

Urban agriculture
Hope chose to study urban agriculture in Rennes. She visited the GAEC shared garden several times, interviewed the founder of Cols Verts and even created her own small shared garden at school.

Locally-grown food and sustainable cooking
For her Capstone, Keili was interested in short-circuit food. She visited markets and restaurants to ask producers, restaurateurs and consumers about the origins of the products they sell and cook.