Signature is the pinnacle of experiential learning at Emma Willard School. Often stemming from several previous experiences, students get wide latitude to craft a project in this capstone program. Starting with a compelling idea, appropriate background, and the desire to create a personalized project, students enroll in this course for one year and participate in the annual Spring Showcase. Each student works with a Signature manager to establish and attain their goals. This year we have over eighty inspirational projects on campus.

Activism is a common theme in our program and this year is no exception. Students seeking to make change in the world combine their own ideas with Emma Willard School’s considerable resources on campus and in the surrounding region. Our young activists have the unique opportunity to turn their thoughts into reality and measurable outcomes.

Mikayla B. ’25 and Lily C. ’25 are partnering on a project featuring small businesses in Troy, NY, called “Business Ethics: Changing Big Practices Through Small Businesses.” This is their project mission statement:

We created this blog to help spread awareness of the influence of capitalism in today's society, specifically in the influence on small businesses in Troy, New York. We will explain the history of Troy and how that connects to the sphere of the capitalistic economy in America. We will also share ethical small businesses to shop at in Troy and why they help the local community!

Mikayla and Lily are making the most out of their interest in business and economics, and with the school's connections in our external community.

Two projects are employing podcasting to disseminate their activist messages. Roz K. ’25, is publishing episodes in her project, “Silent suffering: The Untold Stories of Environment Racism & Injustice.” Roz is delving into complex examples of ecological impact in the Capital District through the multifactorial lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her compelling use of media is spreading the word amongst our community to catalyze change.

 

 

Coco Y. ’25 and Nini Y. ’25 are also producing podcasts and vlogs, cleverly titled, “The Twin Climate Currents: Science and Society” (Coco and Nini are twins) on YouTube. Give them a follow! Coco and Nini explore their familial interest in climate change in Pakistan, born out of an experience tutoring a young student in the region, and they will soon feature Signature veteran Khadija Ghanizada ’19. Coco and Nini dive into the science of the greenhouse effect as well as the disproportionate force that it has on less affluent countries. Coco and Nini combine their deep concern about the future along with their care for other cultures in an informative and endearing fashion.

 

Jackie R. ’24 is working on a project that is deeply connected to her life. She writes:

At 18 months old, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune condition. Though this diagnosis made my life a little extra complex, it also gave me a wonderful community and unbelievable opportunities. Because of this, I am working to create an accessible teen support group at Albany Med with the help of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to foster a deeper connection amongst the type 1 community. This community engagement project will also come in the form of awareness activities at Emma and a creative collection of both literature and art submissions from all those impacted by T1D.

Jackie is clearly making a difference at Albany Medical Center and her community of peers.

 

Each of these students has made their way through the experiential learning opportunities during their tenure Emma Willard, gaining knowledge and exploring options, crafting their Signature project in increments. This could have happened in a service learning trip, a practicum, or even in one of their core classes. Working with their class manager, they combined these concepts and connections in a way that worked for their personal interest. Their projects represent the culmination of many events from their past.

This is what a capstone is supposed to be. In the real world, a capstone is the piece on the top of a stone wall that protects all the other rocks. It is made of a more durable material and blocks erosion of the structure. For the student, the lower stones in the wall are all the past experiences. The capstone on top is the uppermost piece that stands on the base, often arranged in a decorative design. Signature is the capstone experience that rests on a student’s memorable moments, artfully displays the full exhibition of all their successes — and challenges — and caps off their school tenure at Emma Willard School. 

This piece was written by Experiential Learning Department Chair and Science Instructor Jon Calos.