Capstone Project Proposal Draft

Name of student: Taya Brandon

Date: February 27, 2023
Teacher:
Capstone strand I have chosen is Service Strand
Proposed title for my project: Crocheting for the homeless

What is your inquiry question that interests you for further research? It should be a question that
connects with a purpose, passion or personalized area of interest for you. This is a question that
you cannot just google an answer for. Please see examples from your Capstone booklet.
My inquiry question is:

How can I help the homeless in my community prepare and stay warm for colder months?
What causes homelessness?

Rationale/context: Detail your reasons for choosing this inquiry question. Explain WHY you are
choosing to investigate this topic as a major area of focus. How does this area of inquiry connect
to your passion(s), purpose? Why is it of personal interest to you?

I chose this inquiry question because I love to help those in need, I have alot of family on the
streets, and some have passed away due to being homeless. I would love to make a
difference even if its small because everyone deserves to feel seen and cared about.

Background: What background knowledge/connections/prior learning do you have in this

area of inquiry?

I know that the homeless crisis in Canada is only going to get worse and I have learnt early on
that literally anyone could end up on the streets one day. Many single parent families are
living on the street with small children due to the increased price of housing, alot of others end
up homeless due to the little to no help with mental illness and drug addiction. I have family
that have passed due to the struggle of being homeless and struggling with drug abuse,
mentall illness, and money problems. So this subject does hit home and it makes it even more
important to me.

Career connections: What is your intended career area at this point in time? What
connections does this inquiry question have to your life, academic and/ or career goals?

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 Im hoping to go into the social work career, helping people who are homeless, or in unsafe
households find ways out.

Interdisciplinary and core competencies connections: What subject areas and core
competencies will be connected with your project? Outline and explain the connections.

Core Competency Reflection

Creative Thinking
Strengths
1. “I can create new and unique ideas that may provide new perspectives that
influence how people think about topics.”
When I come across someone with a different view or opinion on something than me, I listen
to them and try to understand their stance on the subject. I will then come up with new and
unique ways to explain my own views on the topic and help them understand why I have
these views myself. This helps keep the person I'm talking to open-minded and helps to avoid
conflict. I have avoided unneeded fights and conflicts with others using unique ideas and
perspective. This is how I demonstrate unique and creative thinking.

2. “I can use the environment around me, including others, and my unconscious
mind to generate new ideas.”
During group discussion or projects in class I use the environment, peers, and myself to think
of new ideas or possibilities regarding the subject being discussed or project being made, this
helps me better collaborate with my classmates and come up with new creative ideas to
contribute to the group. This shows how I use the world around me to create unique ideas.

Area of Improvement
1. “I can take my ideas, evaluate, develop, and refine them and make
something productive out of them.”
I often will have ideas I want to pursue or discuss with others, but I find myself holding back
due to the fear of it not going the way I want it to. This has resulted in unknown outcomes
and missed opportunities. I recognize this weakness holds me back, in order to improve this, I
want to work on discussing and putting my ideas into motion even if I don’t know that the
results will conclude how I want them to.

Communication

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Strengths
1. “I can listen, learn to contribute meaningfully to discussion and debate,
consider different perspectives, and build consensus.”
During presentations or even a simple lunch with a friend, I love to listen to others' opinions
and views on the world. When others discuss their perspective on things it challenges me to
put myself in their shoes and recognize the experience my peer has had to have them
develop this perspective. Having an open mind is very important to me when it comes to this,
having a friendly discussion on others opinions encourages me to see the world in a different
light and helps me to develop my own views more.

2. “I can engage in deep and meaningful inquiry for a variety of purposes

and audiences.”
Engaging in deep meaningful discussions of topics helps me to further learn more about a
subject or even assist me in teaching a skill or subject better to a friend. This helps others and
me expand our knowledge and skills on important topics.

Area of Improvement
1. “I can reflect on the processes of learning and share what I have learned.”
When I try to reflect on the processes of learning and try to share what I have learned I often
struggle. I find it hard to focus for long periods of time which results in me missing some parts
of lessons. When asked to reflect on what I have learnt I try to piece together what I learned
and explain to the best of my ability. To improve this weakness, I want to practice focusing for
longer amounts of time on a subject or going back to the material we learnt and go over it.

Personal And Cultural Identity

Strengths
1. “I understand what is important to me.”
The most important things to me are family, friends, and the outdoors. These things help
shape who I am as a person and what I value, I couldn't live without these three things which
helps define that they are important, even vital to me. My family, friends, and the outdoors
are all things that have helped me learn and grow through my short seventeen years of being
on this earth. These are the things that define me and make me who I am.

2. “I know my strengths and what makes me unique”

I have many strengths, some of them are being empathetic, caring, kind, respectful, and
trustworthy. I make sure that I am as nice as possible even to the meanest of people, no one
knows what each other are going through and kindness can completely change someone's
day. This is what makes me unique, my love and kindness for everything from bugs to people.

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Area of Improvement
1. “I can define myself in terms of my relationship to others and to the
world”
I tend to struggle when defining myself to others, I struggle with knowing who I am so when
people ask me I often tell them what I think they want to hear. I hope to further work on
myself and discovering who I am so others and myself can know the real me.

Personal Awareness and Responsibility

Strengths
1. “I can express my needs and seek help when needed”
When I'm struggling with a topic or even with my mental health, I try to solve it on my own
first, but I have limits and when I recognize I'm confused or need to talk to someone I always
reach out. This shows I can express what I need and seek help when needed.

2. “I understand learning takes patience and time”

Last ski season I had the opportunity to learn to ski alongside my uncle who was a ski tour
guide, I was so eager to learn this skill but also knew it would be very difficult and that this
sport was quite dangerous. I spent both Saturday and Sunday every week of the whole season
out on the hill learning how to ski, it took a very long time for me to even go down a run
without falling but I gave it time and I was patient and now I am a skilled skier and I'm
confident on the hill. This shows I recognize that learning anything takes time and patience.

Area of Improvement
1. “I understand my decisions and actions can affect me”
When it comes to consequences of my own actions I sometimes don’t think, when making
decisions they are mostly impulsive, and I regret them later. I want to try going forward to
take the time to think and decide on my decisions and ideas in order to have more positive
outcomes.

Social Responsibility

Strengths
1. “I can identify and appreciate different perspectives on issues and use and
evaluate strategies to resolve problems.”
Listening to others perspectives on problems can help resolve issues and create better

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outcomes in the end. This helps reduce problems and create more ideas.

2. “I value diversity, defend human rights, advocate for others, and act
ethically in all my interactions, including online.”
I feel very strongly about equality and human rights for all. In person and online I advocate
and support all people no matter who they are or what they look like. Everyone deserves love
and acceptance for everything they are.

Area of Improvement
1. “I have positive peer and intergenerational relationships”
When it comes to peers, I struggle to make friends in school due to social anxiety and not
being included in activities. I hope to make more friends by putting myself out there more and
taking chances when it comes to meeting and talking with others.

Critical Thinking
Strengths
1. “I can analyze and critique my work and my learning.”
In class I check over and re-read my work to make sure I understand the content and I do
everything correctly. I also analyze what I have learned and make sure I understand what I
was taught. This shows I can look over my learning and work and be able to understand it and
ask for help.

2. “I can ask good quality questions, gather relevant information, and come
up with well-developed conclusions.”
While researching topics I go to reliable sources and sites for information and ask in-depth
questions to better help me understand and apply my gains knowledge and information to
the topic I'm learning and researching. This helps me create a well-developed conclusion on
the topic.

Area of Improvement
1. “I can assess my progress”
When tracking my progress, I often think I'm closer to completion than I actually am. This
results in me working slower thinking I have time when I really don’t. I then either don’t
complete work by the due date, or panic to get it done in time. To improve this, I want to
focus on getting things done and better tracking the amount of work I've done.

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Capstone Presentation medium: select one or more project mediums you wish to use to
present your project. Outline and give details about how you will present your project once
completed. You may use a combination of mediums.
o Electronic portfolio: Prezi or PPT
o Physical portfolio
o Website
o imovie presentation
o YouTube channel

Power point: To present my capstone i will create a powerpoint explaining my inquiry

question, what Im doing for my project, my progress, how i did it, and the outcome.

Physical Portfolio: Another way I will present my capstone is by making a physical portfolio of
some examples of the things I created and donated for my capstone project.

Description of my Capstone project. Specific Project Details of the Capstone Project: what
will you research, create, study, produce, solve, investigate? What product will be produced
at the end of this project for evaluation. Write a one-page description outlining your
proposal.

For my capstone I plan to crochet as many toques and scarves as possible for those struggling
with homelessness in our community here in Langley. My initial step will consist of
researching the roots and implications of the homeless crisis in Canada and the impact it has
on the citizens residing here. Additionally, I will analyze how the homeless numbers have shot
up since Covid-19 and the recent rapid inflation of prices on necessities. I plan to research the
local shelters in my area and decide which one I will donate my creations to at the end of my
capstone. I hope to create ten to twenty scarves and toques to give to a shelter of my
choosing in my community. I believe this will take me longer than forty hours to complete as I
hope to make as many toques and scarves as I can in my given time frame for this project.
Even prior to my research, I am aware that there are so many people on the streets all around
British Columbia and Canada struggling to stay warm and get enough food to eat. Because of
this, I really hope to make a difference in my community, even if it is relatively small. I see the
importance of helping vulnerable people in difficult situations, and making some toques and
scarves is my way of helping the people on the streets keep warm. I want to let them know
that they are seen, heard, and deserve support in dealing with their struggles that are very
much valid. In order to keep the budget for my capstone realistic and attainable, I will visit
thrift stores and look for donated yarn. I will also visit craft stores and find deals to get more
yarn for less money to help me save and be able to create more items to donate. I already
have most of my supplies to begin this project at home. This includes crochet hooks, darning
needles, stitch markers, and scissors. For my budget I have set a limit of $150 to use to buy
the supplies required for my capstone. I plan on having my grandmother be my mentor

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 throughout this project, she is who I look up to when it comes to things like crocheting and
knitting, that’s why I believe she would be a perfect choice for a mentor for me. As a general
timeline, I aim to commence my research as soon as possible and complete it before spring
break ends. I hope to start the crocheting process around the start of spring break to finish by
late may, Knitting and crocheting is something I truly have a passion for and thought turning
this skill I enjoy so much into something beneficial for those in need would make a great and
thoughtful capstone project. Each scarf and toque will have the same general design amongst
them but will differ in their colors, aiming for an overall trendy and stylish theme. I will track
my progress by jotting down some notes from my research and then taking pictures as proof
of my research process. Once I start putting together my final products, I will also take
pictures of these and show my process of crocheting.

Resources/ Technology/Skills: Make an assessment of the resources, technology and

skills you will need to be able to complete this project. What is your plan to be able to
access/learn all of the resources necessary to achieve completion of this project? Detail
your plans.

To complete this project I will need skills in crocheting and sewing. In terms of resources I will
need yarn, darning needles, and crochet hooks. I also need the internet to look up patterns
and communicate with my mentor. Luckily I have everything I need to begin my capstone
other than extra yarn, I am skilled in crocheting and sewing so I am fully prepared to start
creating and developing my capstone.

Mentors/Community Connections: What types of mentor(s)/community connections will

you need to help you complete your capstone project? How will your mentor(s) help you?
What is your plan to access the mentorship/community connections necessary for this
project?

For my capstone I have asked my grandma to take the role of my mentor, I will check in with
her by visiting her home and showing her my progress and asking any questions I may have,
If I can't visit her in person I can easily contact her through messenger or video chat. My
mentor will assist me in learning new patterns and helping with issues if/when I run into any.

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Project limitations: What are some project limitations and potential obstacles that you foresee
that might affect progress with your Capstone Project?

Some potential obstacles I may see in the future is, hitting my budget limit and running out of
yarn, or not being able to find a shelter that will take my creations.

Other considerations: List and detail any other related information/ considerations about
your project that you feel should be included in your project proposal.

Some other considerations I feel should be included into my project are that making each item
takes 2-3 hours at a time and I need to be able to pace myself in order to complete this
capstone in the desired timeline

References:

Attach a REFERENCE LIST. Your list should be written using correct APA formatting.
An example is provided on page 21 of your Capstone booklet.

https://langleyschoolsca-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/personal/
tbrandon0277_langleyschools_ca1/Documents/Annotated%20Bibliography.docx?
d=w322f2e7cf9d74445a25ea48bddb8b701&csf=1&web=1&e=Q3WiWv

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