Definition
A culminating assignment in a student's final year that supposedly demonstrates everything they've learned, though it often just demonstrates their ability to procrastinate until the last minute. Think of it as academia's swan song before graduation.
Example Usage
Her capstone project involved developing a marketing campaign for a local nonprofit, complete with research, strategy, and presentation.
Origin
From architecture, where a 'capstone' is the final stone placed atop a structure, adopted by educators in the 1980s.
Fun Fact
Some universities have replaced traditional capstone projects with 'signature work' or 'culminating experiences' to sound more innovative.
Source: Common undergraduate curriculum terminology
Related Terms
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