Final Capstone Reflection

The Capstone is a unique and demanding challenge. In completing it, what did you learn

about your subject? Your skill set? Yourself?

From the Capstone project being unique and demanding in its own way, I ran into many different times
where I learnt new things. The main new thing that I’ve learnt Is how much society has an impact on
women in sports and how it affects one another. When I went to present my presentation to the grade 8
girls basketball team, I asked everyone if they ran into a time where someone else has shut them down
by making rude comments or actions. The results I got from asking the question were terrible. So many
younger girls raised their hands with a disappointing look on their faces. This gave me a better
understanding of how I should encounter them when having one on one time during teaching sessions.

A skill set that I have learnt about myself would have to be public speaking. During this time before
presenting to the Grade 8 Girls, my nerves were going through the roof. I was extremely scared that I
was going to make some sort of mistake that would cause them to look at me differently. My friend was
a great person to have along by my side. Before going into the school, she assured me that this is for
fun, that they’re 4 years younger than me, and they’re more scared of you. This helped my confidence
towards public speaking. Now I feel like I can go and talk to anyone without being scared.

How is your project relevant to you, the school or the community-at-large?

Engaging in my capstone project was a deep personal experience. I saw it as an opportunity to bridge
gaps and elaborate on the challenges women face in sports. Teaching new skills to the grade 8 girls'
basketball team at Peter Ewart Middle School wasn't just about getting better at the game, it was about
empowerment, breaking stereotypes, and making a meaningful impact on both an individual and
community level performances. I hoped to inspire them and make a positive change in our community,
one step at a time.

How did you demonstrate the six Core Competencies throughout this project? (See

attached Core Competency sheet)

The subject areas that my project fall under are physical education and physical development. Some
core competencies that connect to my capstone are “I can take my ideas evaluate, develop, and refine
them and make something productive out of them.”, “I can set goals, regulate my emotions and
persevere in difficult situations.”, “I am aware of my community and environment and work
independently and collaboratively for the benefit of others.”, “I understand the purpose for my work
and consider my audience.”, “I can reflect on the processes of learning and share what I have learned.”,
and “I understand what is important to me.”.
1. In the grade 12 Careers course, I’m currently using this skill to its fullest ability. The capstone
project Is a fitting example. Throughout the whole course, there are plenty of small assignments
that lead to either creating, refining, or presenting the project. To start this project, I designed a
 mind map that assisted me on what needed to be done or changed. This gave me a sharp vision
of what path I need to take and how it should be constructed. I hope at the end of this project
that I've made a big enough change that could be carried onto the future generations!
2. When it comes to regulating emotions, it's important to recognize and understand how you’re
feeling, and then find healthy ways to manage and express those emotions. When faced with
any inconvenient situations, I always remember to stay resilient and never give up. If I were to
get overwhelmed, this is regulating emotions would occur. Taking a deep breath, reminding
myself that I'm prepared, and focusing on positive self-talk. Sometimes this can be difficult for
me to move on from. If I encounter a setback or face a challenging task, I don’t get discouraged.
Instead, I break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate each small achievement
along the way and keep pushing forward, knowing that ill have the grown the strength to
overcome future obstacles.
3. Choosing to connect with the Grade 8 Girls Basketball team at Peter Ewart Middle School is all
about being involved with my community. Chatting with the Grade 8 girls, diving into the games
and activities, is when collaboration comes out. It's not just about me getting my Capstone done,
it's about all of us coming together for a shared benefit. It's about spreading awareness to the
community, while collaborating to make a positive impact. This event isn't just a presentation;
it's a community-driven effort to empower and benefit others around.
4. This Capstone event is more than just a presentation for me. It's about understanding the
purpose behind my work and really considering my audience. This is a purposeful exploration
into how sports impact women's lives. It's a subject I want to share, and that understanding
guides every move I make in preparation. When it comes to the Grade 8 Girls Basketball team,
the audience is a big concentration. From the vivid visuals in the slideshow to the games and
activities during the event, every part is meant towards captivating and connecting with these
girls. Overall, my goal is being able to make the whole event a meaningful and personalized
journey.
5. During the process of preparing for my Capstone event, the principle of "I can reflect on the
processes of learning and sharing what I have learned" plays a huge role. I find myself constantly
reflecting on the journey of learning that led me here. The process of researching, collecting
information, and translating it into a meaningful presentation has been a learning experience
itself. Even the anticipation of sharing these insights with the Grade 8 Girls Basketball team adds
an extra layer to my reflective process. This reflective approach not only displays my
understanding of the subject matter but also ensures that the event has a lot of knowledge and
insights for others to obtain.
6. This Capstone event is deeply rooted in the understanding of what is important to me. It's a
deliberate exploration into the impact of sports on women's lives, a topic that resonates with
my personal values and interests. Empowering and educating the Grade 8 Girls Basketball team
aligns with my belief in the significance of sports for young individuals. The choice of visuals, the
inclusion of personal experiences in the Grade 11/12 Basketball video, and the planning of
games and drills all reflect what holds importance in my perspective.

Those are the main core competencies that relate to my Capstone.

My capstone project made an impact by addressing and highlighting the challenges that women
encounter in the world of sports. Through teaching the grade 8 girls' basketball team at Peter Ewart
Middle School, I witnessed a positive transformation. Not only did the players enhance their basketball
skills, but there was also a noticeable boost in their confidence and resilience.

Beyond the court, I aimed to create a lasting influence on the participants, encouraging them to pursue
their passions without limitations. I would love to see these effects extended to the community,
contributing to a more inclusive and supportive environment that challenges existing woman athletes.

Thinking about the whole process and your finished product, what are you most proud of?

I'm most proud of the positive changes I achieved through the entire Capstone process. From addressing
good and bad facts about women in sports, to teaching valuable skills to the grade 8 girls' basketball
team at Peter Ewart Middle School. The impact I had on both individuals and the team is something that
brings me immense joy and satisfaction. The best part is seeing the positive changes in each girl, not just
on the court but in how they see themselves. It's that transformation and the smiles on their faces that
make the whole process incredibly rewarding for me.

What was a difficulty you encountered and how did you solve the problem?

While my Capstone journey went smoothly, I anticipated potential challenges that could have occurred.
Issues like coordinating schedules with the grade 8 girls' basketball team, addressing individual skill
levels, or managing unexpected disruptions during the teaching sessions were possibilities. Fortunately,
through effective communication and adaptability, these potential problems were managed
beforehand, allowing the project to strive without any major issues.

What is one thing about your finished project you wish you could change? Why?

If I were to change one thing about my finished project, I might consider expanding its reach. I could
have explored the possibility of taking the lessons to more schools or hosting additional sessions at the
same school. This way, I could have a bigger impact, reaching more students and communities with the
message of empowerment through sports.

What advice would you give to a student who will be completing their Capstone Project

next year?

My advice to a student tackling their Capstone project next year would be to start early and create a
detailed schedule. Make sure to break down the project into manageable tasks, outlining what needs to
be done each day or week. This productive approach helps in staying organized, managing time
effectively, and avoiding last-minute stress. Additionally, maintaining open communication with mentors
and those involved in the project ensures a smooth and successful execution.

What source from your research helped you the most? (or least?).

The most valuable sources for my Capstone project came from personal experiences, guidance from my
current school basketball coach, and insights from my past principal, Ms. Douglas. Those who have
navigated similar paths provided practical wisdom. Their experiences served as an amazing resource,
shaping the project with authenticity and relevance. While academic research contributed practical
knowledge, it played a less role compared to the clear insights gained from those who have been
directly involved in the specific field.

What is one thing about your approach to your project that you wish you could change?

Why?

Reflecting on my project's approach, I wouldn't alter much as everything unfolded seamlessly. If I could
wish for one thing, it would be to finish a bit earlier. Not because it didn't go well, but finishing a bit
sooner could have given me extra time to explore additional opportunities or enhance certain details of
the project for more of a positive impact at the end.