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For my capstone, I wanted to explore my artistic and creative abilities. I decided to design and sew a “Modern Victorian” fashion line, mixing Victorian with modern fashion elements. There were many steps to creating a good fashion show, starting with researching Victorian fashion, sketching designs, selecting models and fabrics, sewing the pieces, and putting on the show. I was able to finish all of my pieces before the Coronavirus pandemic reached Philadelphia but unfortunately was not able to have the big event. So, to make up for the canceled event, I threw an “at-home fashion show.” My brother and I modeled all of the pieces I made and we took videos to create the feel of a real fashion show. A silver lining was that I was able to use the new sewing skills that I learned during this capstone project to support health care workers by sewing face masks. I learned a lot about the process of putting together a cohesive fashion show, for example, picking models and what colors look good on them and fit together in the show. I was a little disappointed because I was not able to complete what I set out to do, but overall this experience taught me a lot and I am still very proud of the items of clothing and masks that I made.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAHsAlGGxn0&t=14s

Here is a link to my website; https://sites.google.com/scienceleadership.org/dominicanhelporg/home

Bibliography; https://docs.google.com/document/d/11YkKsm_2tgeo8FxNz_jZX3ligmex26s82u7rI6oXMMg/edit?usp=sharing

For my senior capstone, I wanted to do something that I thought could hopefully have a lasting impact on the community at Science Leadership Academy as well as businesses and institutions around the city of Philadelphia. Talking with Mr. Kamal, my capstone advisor and engineering teacher at SLA, I realized that what I wanted to do was be able to educate people on how to better live a more sustainable life. But more importantly, I wanted to see how large businesses and institutions handled everything from electricity to food purchasing and disposal. With the help of The Franklin Institute and more specifically Dr. Rachel Valletta, an environmental scientist at the museum, I was able to come up with an idea to research different sustainability and climate action plans around the city and compile the information into something that can help people understand what is being done and what can be done. After researching about 25 in-depth plans from organizations and institutions that affected the city, I was able to narrow down what worked well in all of these plans and which plans do it best to serve as an example for others. I hope that this project allows for everyone to have a deeper understanding of what is possible so we can all push for a healthier earth.

Here is a link to the website:

https://alaban20.wixsite.com/mysite

Annotated Bibliography:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q5BmHmRafKmzUsln80bRwXlwDvTPLq4oANN8UvRJb_o/edit?usp=sharing

For my senior capstone, I decided to try to create a STEM after-school program that introduces STEM to younger kids that didn’t have much exposure. It was to be called “Games: Behind the Scenes.” This program was to introduce STEM by looking at how a game is made aka coding. They would have learned what coding is, its basic terms, and much more. I wanted to do this capstone so that I could give the same experience I had when I learned of STEM at SLA to people who aren’t exposed to it as much. The first step was to have my idea fully develop. I didn’t want to go into doing this capstone only knowing part of your plan. This included doing research. I had to find out what it takes to run a program and how to keep it engaging. After much research, I design my program. I had to make a simple game that would be used as an example to help explain coding. I also had to design the curriculum and layout of the program. This helped me in writing my proposal that would be presented when I presented my program to schools. Sadly, because of C-19, those plans were put at a halt. Nonetheless, I learn that time should be used wisely, never “marry” an idea, and to be prepared. Down below is the curriculum of the program and a video of the game ‘Target’ being played.

Bibliography:

Animal cruelty is a large issue all over the world that many people are not aware of. Each year, the numbers of animal abuse cases increase and this must be changed. For my Senior Capstone, I was determined to inform my community about what animal cruelty is and provide ways to prevent it. Initially, my goal was to host a gallery event. A gallery event would be able to bring our community together in order to learn about this issue and spread the word. The gallery event would include photos and footage taken by me at a local animal shelter to create a documentary and showcase my Digital Video skills that I have gained through the years while I was part of the program. With my modified project, I decided to create posters instead, as they are effective in conveying an important message. My Capstone is built upon the inquiry of how digital art can help convey a message about animal cruelty to the community that will result in an emotional response. I am still able to be creative while also being informative about animal cruelty. With these posters, I want to be able to show that this is something that happens in our world every single day. These posters will encourage my community to speak up and help animals as they are unable to speak for themselves. Make a change today!

For my capstone, I’m using my makeup account to show how you can grow on social media and how you can gain positive profit from such accounts. My makeup account first started on Instagram and it expanded to different places like Twitter and Tik Tok. I was able to achieve some of the goals that I wanted with my accounts which were to have them grow, get noticed by a makeup brand, and finally work with a brand and have a paid partnership. I grew my Instragam to over 1,00 followers, my Twitter to over 3,000 followers and my biggest following is on Tik Tok with 18,000 followers. With my different accounts, I was able to get noticed by a makeup company called Anastasia Beverly Hills. They saw my work with my accounts and wanted to support me so they sent free makeup from their company for almost a year. Later on, I was able to work with another brand called Drench Cosmetics and they offered me a paid partnership of $100 to promote one of their products. I wanted to do this project because I wanted to see how one could grow on social media and the positive aspects of it. I also wanted to show off my makeup online. I thought starting accounts on different platforms would maximize my chances of doing these things for my capstone.

https://www.instagram.com/carlosbeautyy/

For my capstone, I wanted to create a project that would have an impact on the SLA community and even others outside of it, such as my family and friends. I live between the Hispanic world and the American world. I never really faced any challenges until I went to high school because growing up, I went to schools that were mainly ethnically speaking, Hispanic. It’s hard to balance at times since walking out of my home, it is a different environment I have to face every day. I wanted to portray that by making a documentary about what it is like being a Hispanic in America. The documentary was going to go deep into the social and emotional impact I’ve gone through and how people who go through the same challenges as I do, are not alone. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I was not able to begin filming for the documentary making this project not precisely what I wanted. I was able to complete an interview that was going to be apart of the mini-film and collected other types of research that will be presented in a google slide show.

Process Paper: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15UxItya2O8H188iP_BHNuHIvV-OwWRmG9Ek_vJp-8to/edit

Google Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Oi8TPT9y2hEgCi9cCTmMmYZvofr3uPoewbOb0YMAkcc/edit#slide=id.g808944eecc_0_90

Annotated Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z03TVcPHNIFOCNvnCfMt8SPXZkBpX7J-U8dAPy8Akhw/edit

Annotated Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13WQ3IrG6LZqD_LxJQToGpa52MgLvoECZ7cHB2Zok6KQ/edit?usp=sharing

For my senior project, I created an online resource for high school students who are dealing with stress. Initially, I had planned to give back to the SLA community in a physical way but my senior year was cut short so I had to adjust and adapt. Living in the age of technology I decided that the best way that I could create a long-lasting resource for high school students would be to create an Instagram page. The Instagram page is filled with information about managing stress. While completing this project I’ve learned new techniques to manage my stress. Also, I’ve learned that I am more connected to my school community than I once believed. After talking to my peers I learned that we were stressing and struggling about similar things. Knowing that the people around me were stressing about similar things made it somewhat more comforting and welcoming, hence the handle name @stressintogether_

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Lc9zhLcsBMfIjegL3j-YTmEfiaZxWaVm4LeMlZQicE/edit?usp=sharing

https://www.instagram.com/stressintogether_/?igshid=1dqygazh61fg8

ABSTRACT

The goal of my capstone project was to develop a new way for speech therapists and parents to communicate with their nonverbal children. Originally the final product was planned to be an app using eye gaze technology, but due to COVID-19 making some resources inaccessible, the final product being presented is a video explaining how the app, HeyeLight, would have worked, as well as a donation to Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania in the form of an iPad Pro. While the project goal was only accomplished in theory, I was able to accomplish several personal goals for my project, including learning how to design an app using programming languages HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, as well as how to solve a real-world problem using the engineering design process. I started this project in the fall by researching disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, and asking professionals at the Easterseals of Southeast Pennsylvania what problems they deal with on a day-to-day basis. A common problem for young children with cerebral palsy is communication. Speech therapy, including eye gaze sessions, can help with communication, however many eye gaze apps that are currently on the market rely on clipart or keyboards, an understanding that many young, preschool-aged children do not possess. My solution to this problem is HeyeLight, an app that applies user-uploaded photos as the subject of the eye-gaze session, causing a higher level of understanding in the child using it.

For my capstone, I wanted to support the young women that I attended SLA with, by empowerment. By empowering the youth, it will help with self-determination to motivate oneself. By forming a small organization where girls close in age are brought together every day, they have an opportunity to develop social skills and prepare themselves for the future. Having this kind of community will help them set goals, learn what it means to be empowered, and give them the confidence to persevere. I have created a blog post where girls are welcomed to speak out or be given advice.

For my Capstone, I have partnered up with Keyonne Johnson to create a way for kids to get more active outside. With the physical health of youth in the city in mind, we built a rickshaw for them to ride and drive. The other part of this project is a city-wide event. This event would include a skateboard ride and kickback. We would have food, music, giveaways and much more. At this event is where we would unveil the final product of the rickshaw. Clearly, because of the ongoing pandemic, we are not able to have this event, however, we still have the layout of what we have already done. We have built a prototype, searched for sponsors, and done event planning to make all of this go smoothly.

Slides Link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vFuO86fZ67lxjIH4gKhY7XicSLlSZFwAcxuI2jKFlhk/edit?usp=sharing

Bibliography Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IfqPyZ3BPQfrEJlpjlkXUHMHisLpQF41aUZMMFXa12s/edit?usp=sharing

For my capstone I created a professional development series called: Black Boys & Young Men: Liberated, Empowered, Educate. This was done in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia’s office of Students Rights and Responsibilities. This professional development is designed to create an environment where educators are able to have meaningful conversation about how race can affect classroom learning environments as well as talking about a Black student’s individuality and how the challenges they face also affects how they learn. This series serves as a training to help educators (new and experienced) across all fields understand the reality of Black students in their classroom. For this series I had a larger focus on Black boys.

My capstone is basically proving how SLA’s core values help you through any artistic thing you want to do. Whether that’s in social media, my project is how collaboration helped my tik tok grow. I break down stats and before and after on how i was just making videos individually and then when I used the SLA core value collaboration I went viral and it was really all thanks to the sla core value. I went to 22 followers to 10 thousand. My project shows and presents many core values through my videos on tik tok.

Link to Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18wV9wmttkuedvAghhtfkzLmyrpwTcXOgvDhNWm2XGL8/edit?usp=sharing

For my 2020 Senior Year Capstone, I knew I wanted to do animation because it was the only thing that I could think of to get a book I write in 10th grade into the world. When coming into this project, I knew I had to do some research on how to animation, that, and advice from Mr. Ugworji, After trying and trying to learn about animation, soaking in all the information I could, I started the animation. When I say that I learned about animation, it wasn’t as much as you think. The thing about animation is that everyone has a different way of doing it. When I started, it was time-consuming and hard, I kept going, doing my work in school when the coronavirus happened. While the world stopped, you can guess what also stopped. That’s right, my capstone. It was too late to change my capstone, but I couldn’t create the animation anymore, I didn’t have my teacher to teach me, and I didn’t have the right tools to do it. I don’t mean physical tools, I mean no way of knowing what I was doing. I will say that this was a very good learning experience and was a great opportunity to learn some stuff. I learned a lot about how to animate, mainly facts, and what to do when you are animating. I also learned a lot about time management, I wasn’t that great at it, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I am very grateful that I did this and got to do this, I wouldn’t change a thing about this year or this capstone.

Here is my Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1En_a41hUadPE8Zf6BXoYf8v-KfFDHwpqL2g_9_ZcC9Y/edit?usp=sharing

And I have my book here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12FOtvwl7OKFjdSoEkvVu2mVQp_ONIz_NfgxBMAd5aDQ/edit?usp=sharing

My capstone goals are spreading cultural differences so that people could feel less intimidated about Asian Culture. Before the pandemic happens, Valerie and I created an Asian Alliance Club in school, our goal is to let people know about the Asian representation in the SLA community.

The second part of our capstone is to create a gallery of the Asian culture but we could not do it. So instead of a gallery, I created a website that is specifically focusing on Vietnamese Culture. And for Valerie part, she will be creating some infographics as well as a poster!

This is the website: https://nlai0612.wixsite.com/capstone

This is the presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1x9AX_rFmFE6kNjWVVxFX9S6taj4sI4uQJK8tOzJyjIw/edit?usp=sharing

This is the process paper: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17w634Y6GUeJWMoPExZAyU08yTirEJ4OzO1cv5K2lPYA/edit?usp=sharing

This is the bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n4LIezA1VsVYu4xDuEwkxDyp5Q2fKxtosQ8wduTs1tU/edit?usp=sharing