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Capstone Experiences

A student sharing their Springboard project with other students at Mercersburg Academy.
Our senior capstones aren’t confined by the walls of the classroom.

In the capstones, our students are the architects and engineers of their learning—designing, refining, and bringing their ideas to life. 

As a culminating academic experience, every 12th grader completes one of three programs—Springboard, MAPS, or Research Science—based on their individual interests and ambitions. In each capstone, students are challenged to create with purpose, while thinking critically as they engage with the world beyond the classroom walls. 

With the supportive mentorship of a capstone teacher, each student carefully develops their project, prepares for known and unknown challenges, conducts original research, and takes meaningful risks, producing work that reflects both depth and purpose.

Springboard

In an increasingly complex world, Springboard propels seniors into an immersive, high-impact experience that stretches their creative capacity. They design meaningful projects or solutions, adapt when they encounter setbacks, and transform ideas into tangible, real-world outcomes.

Springboard teachers ignite a spirit of curiosity that pulses through each capstone discipline. For example, in Arts Practicum, Kristen Pixler encourages students to experiment boldly and create across artistic forms. In Entrepreneurship, Todd McGuire challenges students to wrestle with complex logistical questions throughout their rigorous, imaginative design of workable business plans. And in Open Topic, JD Bennett urges students to chase their curiosity, think divergently, proliferate ideas, navigate constraints, and ultimately bring to life projects they are deeply invested in and proud to share.

Arts Practicum

Positive Psychology

Sample Springboard Courses

Entrepreneurship

Arts Practicum

Open Topic

Maker’s Lab

Mercersburg History

Psychology Research

AI Innovation Lab

Write Your Novel

Mercersburg’s Advanced Program for Global Studies

Mercersburg’s Advanced Program for Global Studies, known as MAPS, is a two-year capstone program beginning in 11th grade. MAPS gives highly motivated students an opportunity to employ the skills of research scholars, innovative theorists, and informed problem solvers. The program expands and transcends the existing curriculum, seeking to encourage and inspire students to reimagine their potential. They are empowered to become creative and discerning thinkers, independent and self-directed learners, and compassionate and engaged global citizens.

11TH GRADE

In 11th grade, MAPS students enroll in Thought, Knowledge, and Belief, a course that considers the role of morality, intuition, reason, philosophy, religion, and ethics in human affairs, as well as political theory and current events. Elements of the Socratic method are used for cooperative, argumentative dialogue between and among the students and instructors, asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and draw out ideas and underlying assumptions.

12TH GRADE

In 12th grade, students enroll in the Senior Research Thesis and undertake a SEARCH project (Study-Engage-Apply-Research-Create-Help). SEARCH includes the completion and defense of a 30-page paper on a topic of the student’s choice, as well as a 25- to 30-minute presentation in the style of a TED talk. The SEARCH project involves considerable extensive first-person, online, and print source research.

Research Science

Research Science is a two-year capstone program designed for aspiring scientists eager to delve into research and exploration. Students have the freedom to choose a topic of personal interest from a wide array of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, exercise science, or a cross-disciplinary project. 

Throughout the course of the 11th- and 12th-grade years, students become experts in their chosen topic by writing a 15-page research proposal that they defend in front of a panel of Mercersburg faculty. Students then develop and conduct original, hands-on research experiments, and culminate their experience with an eight- to 10-minute scientific presentation to the school community. 

Research Projects from the Class of 2024