ECTA Senior Capstone

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Guide pages

Book p. 5 / October-December

Phase 2A: Build

Move from approved idea to visible progress, evidence, check-ins, and first mentor feedback.

Today Plan

Do today
Create one visible piece of progress and save evidence of it.
Stop when
You can show what changed, what is next, and what question or blocker needs attention.
Ignore for now
Do not polish the final presentation before you have real build evidence.

Do This First

  1. Create a material, tool, and time plan.
  2. Use check-ins as steering points, not punishment.
  3. Arrive at the first mentor meeting ready to explain the idea, passion, and possible hurdles.

Your Goal

By winter break, you should have a working build plan, visible progress, first mentor feedback, and a clear sense of what needs to happen next.

Minimum to move on

You can show proof of progress and explain your next work session.

Strong work

Your build plan, check-ins, and mentor notes show what changed and what support you need.

Excellent work

You have before-and-after evidence showing how feedback, testing, or a mistake improved the project.

What To Turn In Or Save

  • Build plan with work sessions.
  • Material, tool, and source list.
  • Check-in responses.
  • Photos, screenshots, sketches, drafts, prototypes, research notes, or logs.
  • First mentor meeting notes.

Files For This Step

Build Planp. 5Mentor Meeting Notesp. 5-6

Examples

Save it

Real build evidence

Photos of a prototype, screenshots of code, a recipe test log, patient-care practice notes, CAD drafts, interview notes, or before-and-after revisions all count as progress evidence.

Honest

Useful check-in answer

I finished the first draft, but my material cost is higher than expected. Next I need to simplify the design or find donated materials.

Ask

Mentor question

If you were watching my final presentation, what part would you need me to explain more clearly?

Need Help?

If your brain is yelling that this is too much, do not read the whole page. Answer these three questions first.

  1. What phase am I in? Phase 2A: Build.
  2. What evidence do I already have: notes, photo, screenshot, draft, outline, feedback, or finished work?
  3. What is the next thing I need an adult to approve, answer, or see?
Next tiny move

Choose the smallest visible next step: sketch, test, photo, outline, interview, prototype, or research note.

If stuck

Choose the smallest visible next step: sketch, test, photo, outline, interview, prototype, or research note.

On track

Update your build plan after each work session so the next step is always obvious.

Push for mastery

Collect before-and-after evidence showing how feedback or testing changed your work.

Open Only If You Need More

These panels are here for confusion, revision, or stronger work. You do not need to open them just because they exist.

Full Step-By-Step
  • Break the project into work sessions. A good work session has one concrete result, such as 'finish prototype sketch' or 'interview community partner.'
  • Source materials early. If you need purchases, donations, classroom supplies, software, prints, parts, or outside help, identify the path now.
  • Block time for design and planning, not just final production. The booklet names design and planning as part of the build phase.
  • Complete every structured check-in with honesty. A check-in should show what changed, what is blocked, and what support you need.
  • Prepare for the first mentor meeting by bringing the proposal, a short project summary, your timeline, and your top three questions.
  • Use mentor feedback to refine the big picture. The mentor is a sounding board and encourager, not the person who does the work for you.
Learning Targets
  • I can break a large project into manageable work sessions.
  • I can document progress with artifacts and evidence.
  • I can use check-ins and mentor feedback to improve my plan.
Ready Check
  • I can show visible evidence of progress, not just describe what I plan to do.
  • My build plan shows what I am doing next and what might block me.
  • My mentor meeting notes include feedback and next actions.
Questions To Ask
  • What is the first visible proof that this project is real?
  • What materials or permissions are still missing?
  • What part of my project might take longer than I think?
  • What should I show at the next check-in?
  • What feedback from my mentor changes my next move?
Strong Work Looks Like
  • The student can show progress, not just describe intentions.
  • The work plan includes time, materials, and next actions.
  • Check-ins explain progress and pivots clearly.
  • Mentor feedback is captured and used.
Common Mistakes
  • Waiting until January to begin visible work.
  • Using check-ins to say 'everything is fine' when there are real blockers.
  • Meeting the mentor without a project summary or questions.
  • Letting a group project become one student's project.
Key Words
  • Artifact: a piece of evidence from your work process.
  • Check-in: a progress reflection that shows what changed, what is blocked, and what happens next.
  • Mentor feedback: guidance you use to refine the project, not work someone else does for you.
Adult Roles
  • Mentor: East Tech teacher or staff advocate, sounding board, and encourager.
  • Senior program teacher: keeps the project aligned with program requirements.
  • Student or group: owns the work plan, check-ins, and progress evidence.
Booklet Connection

Page 5 names four focus areas: logistics and planning, reflection through form-based check-ins, mentorship, and collaboration through the first mentor meeting.

Draft Notes

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