Blog Post #5 – Final Capstone Project Reflection Questions

(Please give specific detailed answers + be sure to post your answers to your Blog Post Page!)

1. The Capstone project is a unique and demanding challenge. In the process

of completing it, what did you learn about your subject? What did you
learn about your skill set? What did you learn about yourself?

I learned that working in the trades requires a multitude of tools otherwise it

would make the job so much harder. I learned this the Hardway because I only
had 2 power tools which I used for different purposes; pushing what I can do with
the tools I have. I learned how to use a circular electric hand saw and improved
my measuring skills. Among the physical skills I learned and improved, I learned
how to think critically and come up with solutions when faced with challenges.
Overall, this capstone project solidified my interest in designing and creating
projects.

2. How is your project relevant to you? How is it relevant to the school? How
is it relevant to the community?

This project was important to me because I expressed interest in designing and

building, and as a result, I had applied to a carpentry program which I will be
attending the following semester. This project helped me develop skills that will
enable me to excel in carpentry. Hopefully in the future I will be building projects
in the community.

3. What impact did your Capstone have on you?

The Capstone Project helped me solidify my interest in working in the field. When
I applied for the carpentry program, I was still unsure whether it was something
that I wanted to do in the future. Whether or not I would excel in it. My project
showed me that carpentry wasn’t easy, but it was fun and worth pursuing for the
next couple years.

4. What aspects of your project are you most proud of?

I was most proud of the building project. I faced a multitude of problems, such as
not having the tools, incorrect measurements, and not having enough time to do
the project. Despite these setbacks, I was able to create a functional stable
project in the end. It wasn’t perfect because I had to sacrifice some features in
order to finish the project. I was happy with what I created.

5. What was a difficulty you encountered while researching your Capstone

project? How were you able to overcome those obstacles?

I faced a multitude of problems, such as not having the tools, incorrect

measurements, and not having enough time to do the project. As for the tools, I
overcame my lack of tools by acquiring the help of my friend who had the tools I
needed. I also had to cut the pieces shorter because I didn’t have the means of
cutting angles in certain parts. Luckily, the times where I made incorrect
measurements, it was made too long and not too short. Therefore, it was an easy
fix. I just needed to cut a little bit shorter; I did not have to scrap the whole piece.
As for not having enough time. I took some days off work, and missed church a
couple times, so I could finish.

6. What is the one thing you would have changed about your project if you
could?
If I could go back, I would invest in tools, such as a square tool, and redo the
whole project. Lacking tools made my project inconsistent. It was slightly angled
on some parts, and it wasn’t as seamless as I wanted it to be. Investing in
something like a square tool would’ve fixed that problem.

7. What advice would you offer to future Capstone students to help them
with their Capstone journey?

Make sure to pick something that you are truly passionate about, so it will not
feel as much as chore, but something that you are doing for fun. The last thing
you want is to have something sitting around, which you aren’t proud about. If
you will be spending 40 hours on something you might as well, make it interesting
for you.