Blog Post #6

Where do I even begin? I have been a member of PLTW (Project Lead the Way) since the seventh grade. My teacher Darwin immersed me and my classmates in STEM and how to come up with creative solutions. We built elevators, solar-powered remote control cars, and even programmed robots. While extremely fun and difficult projects for twelve-year-old me when I reached high school It felt like I was thrown into the deep end (in a very good way don't worry). I was modeling sketches in cad, learning the fundamentals of orbits and flight, learning how to breadboard and work with multiple types of logic. After all this learning finally, during senior year I got to apply everything to create my capstone project (The Canary as we called it). This project and the device my group produced are for sure the project I am most proud of throughout my time in the PLTW pathway. There was no outline to follow or teacher to tell you the correct answer. It had to be your solution, your creativity, and your determination to make sure it worked. That is why I am proudest of this project because it came solely from me and my group members.

If I had any advice for incoming students of the Capstone Academy it would be this. Don’t take any of the projects for granted. Even the small ones are an opportunity to grow and learn new skills to apply to your final project. Work hard and apply yourself and in the end, when you look back you will be proud of the work you have accomplished and the memories you have made.