In the Master of Science in Science Education program, all students complete a Capstone Project. This Capstone Project is three-fold: (a) a professional research paper, (b) a poster, and (c) a symposium presentation. These three components are completed with the support of an MSSE advisor during a series of core education courses. Upon passing these courses and completing all other program requirements, your paper and poster are digitally published in the MSU library. The resources provided on this page will support you in successfully finishing your project and completing the MSSE program.
capstone course timeline

 

Table of Contents

Click on a link below to view resources you will use in your core MSSE courses.  

General Resources

MSSE 504: Formative Assessment in Science Education

MSSE 505: Foundations of Action Research in Science Education

MSSE 509: Implementing Action Research in Teaching and Learning

MSSE 575: Capstone Forum

MSSE 508: Statistics Bootcamp for Capstone Projects

MSSE 575: Capstone Symposium

 

General Resources

You will use the following resources in all of your core MSSE courses.

Written Assignment and Lesson Templates

  • MSSE Narrative Template: Use this template for class assignments in courses prior to MSSE 575 to support you in using proper formatting and to give you practice with the template properties you’ll use for your Capstone Paper.
  • MSSE 5 E Lesson Plan: Use this lesson plan in all MSSE and science content courses, unless directed otherwise by the instructor.

General Writing Resources 

Example Capstone Projects 

Select the button below to view example capstone papers, posters, and presentations.

Example Capstone Projects

 

MSSE 504: Formative Assessment in Science Education 

At the end of the course, students will be able to: 

  • Define formative assessment specific to science education 
  • Create, implement and report on numerous formative assessment strategies specific to science education 
  • Provide effective formative feedback to students 
  • Use formative assessment results to make meaningful instructional changes 
  • Demonstrate understanding of formative assessment through content knowledge, reasoning, skills, dispositions and skills. 

Course Description

MSSE 504 Formative Assessment in Science Education is a foundational course in the core sequence that leads to the completion of the capstone paper. As the title suggests, it is a deep dive into different formative assessments that inform both the student and the instructor relative to meeting learner outcomes. Through the use of classroom assessment techniques (CATs), misconception probes, performance assessments, interviews and more, students create assessments, administer them to students, analyze results, report the findings and reflect on the process. The assessments and the processes learned during the course are essential components of the data collection strategies used in the capstone research methodology.

The advisor you have during this course will become your Capstone Project advisor and will be your main source of support during the rest of the Capstone Project process.

 

MSSE 505: Foundations of Action Research in Science Education 

At the end of the the course, students will be able to:

  • Definethe nature of science education research, especially how it is related to classroom-based inquiry 
  • Analyzeconceptual and methodological aspects of a variety of science action research
  • Analyze the relation of specific action research to the effectiveness of classroom instruction and local practice
  • Develop and articulatean understanding of data analysis methods used in action research
  • Complete required Institutional Review Board (IRB) Training, and
  • Designa draftpersonal action research project plan. 

Course Description

The Introduction to Action Research course acquaints students with the action research model and its application in educational settings. Early in the course, students identify a potential capstone topic and conduct an initial review of the relevant literature. This process leads to a first draft of the Conceptual Framework chapter of their Capstone Paper, which is revised and refined throughout the capstone experience.

Students are also introduced to research methodologies and the use of data collection instruments. The MSSE Data Analysis Tutorial supports this learning by helping students explore approaches to designing data collection tools and analyzing data effectively.

By the end of the course, students produce a preliminary draft of the Background and Introduction chapter, which concludes with a clearly defined research question or statement. The final paper includes this chapter, the Conceptual Framework, and initial ideas for data collection strategies.

Additionally, students complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training, which covers the ethics of educational research, key considerations when working with human subjects, and the protocols required for conducting responsible research. This training is a prerequisite for enrollment in MSSE 509. Find out more about the IRB process by clicking on the button below.

IRB Process

Capstone Project Options

You will identify your Capstone Project topic in this course. Depending on your topic and the type of research you complete, your capstone paper will either be a/an: action research paper, educational scholarship paper, science research paper, or journal article. Ifyour research uses human subjects, IRB approval may be required. 

Click on the button below for descriptions of the different project options.   

Capstone Project Options

Research Related Resources

  • SAGE Research Methods: Use this database to learn about research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
  • Data Analysis Tutorials: The data analysis tutorials are part of the MSSE 505 & 509 curriculum. These tutorials cover research design, quantitative data analysis, qualitative data analysis, data visualization, and a mock data analysis activity. You can access these tutorials after 505 & 509 while writing chapters 4 & 5.
  • Claims, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) Chapter Guidelines & Resources: This page discusses the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER)inquiry strategy.

Capstone Paper Formatting and Writing Resources

Select a button to view the capstone paper rubric or formatting resources that include the master template, formatting guides, and final formatting checklists. 

Capstone Paper RubricCapstone Paper Formatting

Capstone Paper Outline

Click on the expander below to view the outline for the MSSE capstone paper. These chapter and level 1 headings are required in your final capstone paper.

  • Chapter 1 = Introduction and Background
    • Level 1 heading: Claims From the Study
    • Level 1 heading: Focus Statement/Question
  • Chapter 2 = Conceptual Framework
    • Level 1 headings: Up to 5-6 headings based on the theme titles from the literature
  • Chapter 3 = Methodology
    • Level 1 heading: Demographics
    • Level 1 heading: Treatment
    • Level 1 heading: Data Collection and Analysis Strategies
  • Chapter 4 = Data Analysis: Claims and Evidence
    • Level 1 heading: Results
  • Chapter 5 = Value: Reasoning and Reflection
    • Level 1 heading: Claims from the Study
    • Level 1 heading: Value of the Study and Consideration for Future Research
    • Level 1 heading: Impact of Action Research on the Author

 

MSSE 509: Implementing Action Research in Teaching and Learning

 At the end of the course, students will be able to: 

  • Design an action research project 
  • Complete an IRB application for the Capstone project 
  • Complete a draft electronic poster describing your action research-based project 
  • Communicate extensively with teachers who have similar interests 
  • Apply the action research process to professional staff development plans 
  • Engage in an on-going discussion with your Project Advisor regarding your action research and subsequent capstone project 

Course Description

This course prepares students to implement their action research plan. Building on the Capstone Paper draft developed in MSSE 505, students revisit and refine their conceptual framework. With this foundation more firmly established, they return to the MSSE Data Analysis Tutorial to guide the development of data collection instruments tailored to their study.

Students then draft the Methodologychapter, which includes a detailed description of the research treatment, methodology, data collection instruments, and data analysis strategies. Students also create a first draft of a virtual poster summarizing their research project.

If Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is required for the project, students submit an application during this course. Find out more about the IRB process by clicking on the button below.

IRB Process

After identifying a science reader, students seek approval from their reader on the research question or statement, data collection instruments, and virtual poster.

Research Related Resources

  • SAGE Research Methods: Use this database to learn about research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
  • Data Analysis Tutorials: The data analysis tutorials are part of the MSSE 505 & 509 curriculum. These tutorials cover research design, quantitative data analysis, qualitative data analysis, data visualization, and a mock data analysis activity. You can access these tutorials after 505 & 509 while writing chapters 4 & 5.
  • Claims, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) Chapter Guidelines & Resources: This page discusses the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER)inquiry strategy.

Additional Research Compliance Resources

Capstone Paper Formatting and Writing Resources

Select a button to view the capstone paper rubric or formatting resources that include the master template, formatting guides, and final formatting checklists. 

Capstone Paper RubricCapstone Paper Formatting

Capstone Paper Outline

Click on the expander below to view the outline for the MSSE capstone paper. These chapter and level 1 headings are required in your final capstone paper.

  • Chapter 1 = Introduction and Background
    • Level 1 heading: Claims From the Study
    • Level 1 heading: Focus Statement/Question
  • Chapter 2 = Conceptual Framework
    • Level 1 headings: Up to 5-6 headings based on the theme titles from the literature
  • Chapter 3 = Methodology
    • Level 1 heading: Demographics
    • Level 1 heading: Treatment
    • Level 1 heading: Data Collection and Analysis Strategies
  • Chapter 4 = Data Analysis: Claims and Evidence
    • Level 1 heading: Results
  • Chapter 5 = Value: Reasoning and Reflection
    • Level 1 heading: Claims from the Study
    • Level 1 heading: Value of the Study and Consideration for Future Research
    • Level 1 heading: Impact of Action Research on the Author

Capstone Poster Guidelines and Rubric

Select a button and view the guidelines you should use when designing your capstone poster or the rubric that will be used to assess it.

Capstone Poster GuidelinesCapstone Poster Rubric

 

MSSE 575: Capstone Forum 

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Complete the implementation of a personalized and professional capstone project aligned to the mission of the Masters of Science in Science Education program 
  • Mission: To provide an exemplary, accessible, responsive, and student-centered science and applied science education master’s degree resulting in enhanced teaching and learning of science for educators and their students.  
  • Successfully compose a science-based or science pedagogy focused professional paper, called the Capstone Paper. 
  • Complete the Capstone Paper Self-Assessment Rubric 
  • Utilize professional formatting guidelines and accessibility standards set by MSU and the MSSE program. 
  • Complete and submit a virtual poster of the Capstone Project 
  • Complete and submit a Project Description for the Capstone Symposium Program 
  • Complete and submit a photo for the Capstone yearbook 

Course Description

This course guides students through the research process, including conducting their study, collecting and analyzing data, and writing two key chapters of the Capstone Paper:
• Data Analysis: Claims and Evidence
• Value: Reflection and Reasoning

By the end of the course, students produce a strong draft of their Capstone Paper, which is submitted to their science reader prior to beginning MSSE 575 Capstone Symposium in early June.

Many students also choose to enroll in MSSE 508 to further support their progress.

MSSE 575 Course Rubric 

  • Capstone Forum Rubric: You can use the Capstone Forum Rubric to review how you'll be assessed on all components of the Capstone Forum course. This rubric is used for MSSE 575 Spring and Summer.

Research Related Resources

  • SAGE Research Methods: Use this database to learn about research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
  • Data Analysis Tutorials: The data analysis tutorials are part of the MSSE 505 & 509 curriculum. These tutorials cover research design, quantitative data analysis, qualitative data analysis, data visualization, and a mock data analysis activity. You can access these tutorials after 505 & 509 while writing chapters 4 & 5.
  • Claims, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) Chapter Guidelines & Resources: Use this page for support with writing chapter 5 of your capstone paper.
  • Hake: Follow these guidelines for citing Hake if using normalized gains in your research. 

Additional Research Compliance Resources

Capstone Paper Formatting and Writing Resources

Select a button to view the capstone paper rubric, a section-by-section paper overview, or formatting resources that include the master template, formatting guides, and final formatting checklists. 

Capstone Paper RubricSection by Section OverviewCapstone Paper Formatting

Capstone Paper Outline

Click on the expander below to view the outline for the MSSE capstone paper. These chapter and level 1 headings are required in your final capstone paper.

  • Chapter 1 = Introduction and Background
    • Level 1 heading: Claims From the Study
    • Level 1 heading: Focus Statement/Question
  • Chapter 2 = Conceptual Framework
    • Level 1 headings: Up to 5-6 headings based on the theme titles from the literature
  • Chapter 3 = Methodology
    • Level 1 heading: Demographics
    • Level 1 heading: Treatment
    • Level 1 heading: Data Collection and Analysis Strategies
  • Chapter 4 = Data Analysis: Claims and Evidence
    • Level 1 heading: Results
  • Chapter 5 = Value: Reasoning and Reflection
    • Level 1 heading: Claims from the Study
    • Level 1 heading: Value of the Study and Consideration for Future Research
    • Level 1 heading: Impact of Action Research on the Author

Capstone Poster Guidelines and Rubric

Select a button and view the guidelines you should use when designing your capstone poster or the rubric that will be used to assess it.

Capstone Poster GuidelinesCapstone Poster Rubric

Symposium Program Description

 

MSSE 508: Statistics Bootcamp for Capstone Projects

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

 

  • Define and properly use common vocabulary of terms related to describing data (e.g., mean, median, mode, variance),  
  • Identify a set of guidelines on which terms are most useful in which contexts,  
  • Create and explain appropriate plots and graphs that help describe and summarize data,  
  • Write the Data Analysis Chapter of the Capstone paper. 
  • Evaluate, reflect and discuss assigned readings with colleagues.  

Course Description

The Capstone Bootcamp course comes at an opportune time in the capstone process to support data analysis, interpretation, the creation of visual representation of the data and the writing of two essential chapters:
•Data Analysis: Claims and Evidence 
• Value: Reflection and Reasoning chapters. 


This is an optional course.

 

MSSE 575: Capstone Symposium

At the end of the course, students will be able to: 

  • Effectively communicate their capstone project findings and learnings through multiple mediums and technologies (i.e., Capstone presentation, Capstone poster and Capstone poster) to an audience of peers and other interested MSU staff and faculty.  
  • Attend the presentations of peers, reflect in writing on the work of peers in light of their own practice, and provide feedback to their peers on presentations attended. 
  • Complete all participation requirements of the Capstone Preparation Forum course and maintain contact with project advisors. 

Course Description

The final course in the program is the Capstone Symposium. This hybrid course supports students as they prepare to travel to Bozeman for the in-person symposium. It provides a streamlined communication channel with project advisors and ensures timely access to Capstone-related resources.

During the course, students:

  • Complete their virtual poster
  • Create a slide deck for their Capstone presentation
  • Practice presenting with peers for feedback and refinement

Upon arrival in Bozeman, students participate in the Capstone Symposium Orientation, attend peer presentations, and present their own capstone research findings.

The symposium concludes with a celebratory event recognizing students' achievements.

MSSE 575 Course Rubric 

  • Capstone Forum Rubric: You can use the Capstone Forum Rubric to review how you'll be assessed on all components of the Capstone Forum course. This rubric is used for MSSE 575 Spring and Summer.

Research Related Resources

  • SAGE Research Methods: Use this database to learn about research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
  • Data Analysis Tutorials: The data analysis tutorials are part of the MSSE 505 & 509 curriculum. These tutorials cover research design, quantitative data analysis, qualitative data analysis, data visualization, and a mock data analysis activity. You can access these tutorials after 505 & 509 while writing chapters 4 & 5.
  • Claims, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) Chapter Guidelines & Resources: Use this page for support with writing chapter 5 of your capstone paper.

Additional Research Compliance Resources

Capstone Paper Formatting and Writing Resources

Select a button to view the capstone paper rubric or formatting resources that include the master template, formatting guides, and final formatting checklists. 

Capstone Paper RubricCapstone Paper Formatting

Capstone Paper Outline

Click on the expander below to view the outline for the MSSE capstone paper. These chapter and level 1 headings are required in your final capstone paper.

  • Chapter 1 = Introduction and Background
    • Level 1 heading: Claims From the Study
    • Level 1 heading: Focus Statement/Question
  • Chapter 2 = Conceptual Framework
    • Level 1 headings: Up to 5-6 headings based on the theme titles from the literature
  • Chapter 3 = Methodology
    • Level 1 heading: Demographics
    • Level 1 heading: Treatment
    • Level 1 heading: Data Collection and Analysis Strategies
  • Chapter 4 = Data Analysis: Claims and Evidence
    • Level 1 heading: Results
  • Chapter 5 = Value: Reasoning and Reflection
    • Level 1 heading: Claims from the Study
    • Level 1 heading: Value of the Study and Consideration for Future Research
    • Level 1 heading: Impact of Action Research on the Author

Capstone Poster Guidelines and Rubric

Select a button and view the guidelines you should use when designing your capstone poster or the rubric that will be used to assess it.

Capstone Poster GuidelinesCapstone Poster Rubric

Symposium Resources

  • Symposium Guidelines: This document provides an overview of the symposium schedule and outlines your duties and responsibilities during the event.