What is a Capstone Project?

Students working with farmer in a green house.

The Capstone Project is a required collaborative project completed in partnership with a public, private, or non-profit organization. Each capstone team is made up of 3-4 MENV students. ÌýThe Capstone process takes students through the Capstone Innovation Lab course sequence and 300 hours of applied work during the Summer Session between the first and second year of the program. Capstone Projects provide MENV graduate students with real-world, hands-on, application-based experiences embedded within the context of an organization's needs and capacities.Ìý

The MENV course sequence (Capstone Innovation Lab 1, 2, 3) hones students' professional skills, such as project management, community partner engagement, data analysis and visualization, collaboration, and communication, that will be essential to success in their projects as well as in their professional careers. Students also engage in relationship building to expand their professional circles and participate in the local and national ecosystem of sustainability professionals.Ìý

Capstone students are not traditional interns. Instead, they are highly motivated graduate student-consultants equipped with prior professional experience and knowledge in sustainability. The students provide innovative solutions and valuable deliverables to Capstone Partner organizations.Ìý

Student ExpectationsÌýÌý

The MENV Graduate Program fosters future leaders and innovators. Student teams drive the scoping, planning, and execution of their projects. They also provide professional communication materials including a poster, symposium presentation, and a project brief. MENV students are advised by MENV Faculty Advisors throughout their work. Faculty and partner input is critical to their success.ÌýÌý

MENV Capstone Teams:Ìý

  • Work closely with teammates, Capstone Partners, and Capstone Advisors to set clear project goals and benchmarksÌý
  • Drive the progress of the project with solution-oriented approachesÌý
  • Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions with partner organizations and other community partnersÌý
  • Communicate regularly and professionally with the Capstone Partner and submit materials for feedbackÌý
  • Produce high-quality, sophisticated, professional products and servicesÌý
  • Present the project professionally a