For my capstone project, I created a website called “College Aid Map,” designed to help students and families navigate college financial aid and costs. As a senior at Science Leadership Academy, I understand that the college process can get complicated very quickly. After speaking with other seniors, I realized that I was not the only one getting overwhelmed. Many students and parents begin the process without fully understanding how tuition works, what types of aid are available, or how to compare financial aid offers between schools. I wanted to create a tool that simplifies and provides reliable guidance in one accessible place. The purpose of College Aid Map is to serve as an “anchor source” that students and families can refer to whenever they feel uncertain during the college applications. Instead of searching through dozens of websites online containing information that can get really confusing, users can access clear and concise information and resources in one website. College Aid Map touches on fundamental concepts such as FAFSA, the importance of scholarships, loans and debt, college costs and resources that can help students and families stay organized throughout their journey. While researching for my website, I realized that the lack of understanding financial aid and costs stemmed from the confusing terminology and abundance of information thrown at you. I quickly took communication into account when completing this project to make things clear. College Aid Map can leave people feeling more prepared and informed to navigate the college financial aid process.

Link to website: https://sites.google.com/scienceleadership.org/collegeaidmap/home?authuser=0

Link to bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sEzivo3up_0EUPr4pcMR8I_WKNBRNDp8jYSU5lf8JHA/edit?usp=sharing

For my capstone project I created a website that acts as a guide for someone trying to become a lifeguard in Philly. The project is mainly focused on giving teens the information they need to be successful in becoming a lifeguard, and it also gives some details and tips on how to be a good lifeguard when they get the job. My capstone was a lot of research and looking back at old papers I had when I worked in the summer, and that I was having to fill out for this summer. I think that this project could end up helping people in the future who want to become a lifeguard or just want to know more about it all. I think that it’s a good combination of all the information that I needed to know when I first got the job. Doing this project I learned new things about the application and certification process and the kind of stuff that would confuse someone going into it, and I got the answers to a lot of questions that I had when I got the job. Overall, I wanted to make this capstone because the process of becoming a lifeguard was confusing for me, and I imagine it’s confusing for a lot of people, so I wanted to make an easy to understand guide that got all the important points out in one place.

Link to website: https://sites.google.com/scienceleadership.org/philly-lifeguarding/home

Link to bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HyQ2vV6643-zUQ8a2enfemF7hh2_aRLAgpo_Tupxlig/edit?usp=sharing