Eighth Grade Capstone Program Thrives at Palos South

Who says adults are the only ones who can solve the problems facing our community? No one at Palos South Middle School. The eighth grade Palos South Capstone Program is now in the homestretch of its second year; already making a difference in both its school and the Palos community.

Launched in 2015, Palos South’s Capstone program is designed to be a hallmark culminating experience for eighth graders. This year, more than half of South eighth-graders are enrolled in this optional program. Capstone is built on the premise that our kids can do amazing things if given the opportunity in an environment that champions creativity and not test scores.

The program affords students the opportunity to work in small teams to select and explore one of three pre-determined problems of local or regional significance, spending half of the year working with their team and outside experts to develop a solution to their identified problem. “I am so proud of the way the Capstone students take ownership for their own learning,” said Capstone Coordinator and Palos South Teacher Judy Schramm. “As soon as they learn something in regard to their project, they realize they need to expand on that component and they go deeper.”

Students who expressed an interest in working on an environmental concern are working to create ways to stabilize the bee population in our region; students who expressed an interest in working on an economic development issue are creating ways to develop and enhance the area surrounding the Palos Park train station; and students who showed interest in working on conservation efforts are working to create ways to reduce the cost and consumption of energy at Palos South Middle School. Each team is assigned a faculty advisor who serves as a co-learner, co-planner, co-producer and co-evaluator.

At the end of the semester, Capstone teams present their findings and proposed solutions using a multimedia platform to the fellow Capstone teams, faculty, parents, and community members in a celebration of their successes. “At the final presentation stage, the students and I are amazed at all they have learned through the program,” said Schramm.

Students have adapted well to the new learning style. “I enjoyed the Capstone program because it allowed us to learn independently from our teachers,” said eighth grader Ella McDevitt. They learn to problem solve and brainstorm when they come across real setbacks; such as conflicting opinions, zoning issues, city ordinances, and budgets.

In its inaugural year, the conservation group who was tasked with finding ways to reduce energy consumption at Palos South secured a $7 thousand grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for a solar panel which was installed last summer. In addition, Palos Heights took the economic team's recommendation to enhance the downtown shopping area by instituting an Adopt-A-Planter sponsorship program.

“I am very proud of our students and staff for embracing this program,” said Superintendent Dr. Anthony Scarsella. “All we had to do is give these kids the necessary resources, and their creativity, research skills, and innovation take over. Learning to collaborate and work as a team to solve problems makes them more confident and prepared for what lies ahead in the future.”