---
title: Culminating with Capstones
description: Eighth grade students finish their time at Congressional with a year-long project
image: https://blog.congressionalschool.org/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-01-30%20at%201.05.11%20PM.png
---
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[](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog)
## [Congressional School Blog](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog)
# Culminating with Capstones
The [Capstone Project](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/middle-school/capstone/) was introduced to the 8th grade curriculum in 2017 as an opportunity for students to produce a major body of work that taps into many layers of intellect and skills. The project takes a full year with the students identifying an area of interest, exploring the topic deeply, taking action, and communicating about it to other members of the school community.
No boundaries are placed on students regarding the topic they choose to study. Instead, they are given latitude to develop their topic areas based on personal interest or passion. Some topics are borne from deeply personal experiences and others out of curiosity and wanting to explore an issue in depth. Some are chosen as a way to help educate others and spread the word about an issue that has troubled or excited them. For some students, their area of study has triggered an enduring interest and inspired them to continue with their project long after graduating from Congressional.
 
**"Capstone is a great opportunity for our oldest students to take a deep dive into a topic or interest that they are particularly passionate about. Capstone affirms their curiosity and allows them the opportunity to become experts in a topic that they otherwise would not have a chance to pursue in school. ”**
- Brent Hinrichs, Associate Head of School, Lower and Middle School Director
**2019–2020 CAPSTONE TOPICS**
Therapy Dogs for Epilepsy
Coastal Erosion Gender
Inequality in Sports
Hunger and Food Insecurity
ThyroidismAffect of Confidence on School Productivity
Housing Designs for Disaster Prone Areas
Disaster Relief for Earthquakes
Global Immigration to the U.S.
The Benefits of Youth Sports
Cyberbullying
OverpopulationSubstance Abuse: E-cigarettes
Why Girls Quit Sports and Why they Shouldn’t
Social Media and Professional Marketing
Children with Movement Disabilities
How Robots Affect Humanity
Women Entrepreneurs
Chronic Tic Disorder
The Model Minority of Asians— the Stereotype
Equal Pay for Women in Sports
Service Dogs for Children with Anxiety
---
**Congressional School**
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Falls Church, VA
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