Capstone Application – 2026-2027
UNC Greensboro MA in History/Museum Studies
Name of Institution: Greensboro Science Center
Point Person: Jessica Gouge
Address of Institution: 4301 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro
Email & Phone Number: jgouge@greensboroscience.org; 336-288-3769 ext. 1315
Parameters of the Capstone: A capstone project is a practicum experience in which students put into practice what they have learned during their MA in History/Museum Studies. The capstone is not an internship, in which students are working on the site with regular hours and responsibilities throughout the semester. Instead, a capstone is often a project that students work on independently or as part of the museum’s team. The capstone should roughly last from September 15, 2026, to April 15, 2027, although these dates are somewhat malleable (i.e., they can start a little earlier or end later). While ideally the student will be around for the final project (i.e., exhibit launch), that is not necessary. Ultimately, the capstone is a learning experience for our MA in History/Museum Studies student and a community service for the partner organization. To that end, the required elements of the capstone are the following:
- An original contribution (this topic has not been covered before, or this type of project offers a form of new knowledge)
- Builds at least two concrete public history skills (i.e., exhibit design, collections management, evaluation, programming, digital design)
- Includes rigorous research – either historical research or museum studies research (i.e., evaluations, audience interviews)
- Involves interpreting research to a broader audience
- Done in collaboration with a community partner (a museum, local institution, library, archive, school, organization)
Examples of Former Capstones: Former projects have included:
Served on curation team for exhibits
Processed map collection of maps and created website accompanying it
Historic Marker Application
Developed and created a podcast
Digital Map of Community
Oral history project with website
National Register Nomination
Developed historic tours of site
Process: We will collect these capstone forms from multiple community partners. We then will provide these forms to students, and they will get in touch with sites that they are interested in between July 15 and August 30, to learn more about the project and to see if it might be a good fit. The capstone instructor will then circle back with all sites on September 1 to check in.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to have a capstone student work on your project. Please plan accordingly.
Please describe below one possible capstone project. If you want to submit another possibility, please create another document. You may submit up to 3 possible projects. Please be as specific as possible.
Description of the Project (Be as Detailed as Possible, and Include What Specific Work Will the Student Will Do):
The Greensboro Science Center has nearly 10,000 objects in its non-living collections, most of which are not viewable by the public – or the GSC staff. In an effort to bring that collection out of storage, the collections department has acquired an online sharing site via PastPerfect with the idea to create a searchable database of those objects.
The next step in the process is conducting the research into specific items that tell a compelling story – either about the GSC’s history, the natural history of our area, or some of the unique items in the collection. This is where a capstone student would come in. The goal would be to identify 15-20 objects from the collection, do research into those objects, write the narrative of those objects, and host them on our online database. There is also a 3D component to it, where the student would work with a software that allows us to utilize photographs to create a 3D image of those objects that could be included with the online database.
Who Would Supervise / Work with the Student?
The student will work directly with the Collections Manager to help determine which objects have compelling stories to tell, create a timeline for completion of the research and writing, and suggestions of where best to start in researching the items. As each object’s narrative is written, feedback from the Collections Manager will be given, then those narratives would be added to the online database with images and (hopefully) a 3D image of the object.
There is also the possibility of working with our marketing team to highlight some of the objects on social media.
When Will the Majority of the Work Take Place?
The bulk of the work will take place in the fall and early part of spring. The intention is for research to be completed and narratives started prior to winter break. After break the rest of the narratives would be written, the 3D images created, and all of the information would be uploaded to the database.
What Skills Will the Students Build?
This capstone project will help build basic non-living collections care and management, as well as expand their research and written interpretation skills. There is also the possibility of working collaboratively with other departments, so teamwork will be a part of the project.
What Skills/Competencies Will the Student Need?
The student that joins the GSC for this project should be comfortable researching reputable sources for historical context and information. The student should be comfortable with Microsoft Word applications, as well as the Google suite. The student should be comfortable having their work edited, and being given constructive feedback.
When Will This Project Take Place and When Will It Launch?
The project will start this fall – possibly as early as August – with an introduction to the GSC’s non-living collection, and the start of object selection and research. Based on the items selected for narratives and the scope/depth of the research, it is anticipated that objects and their narratives will be available on the online database by early spring.
Is There a Budget for This Project? Does the Site Have Funds for Travel Expenses for Student?
No
Is This Work Largely in Person at your Site, Virtual, or a Mix?
This work would be primarily onsite, with some opportunity for research from home.
Why Would This Project be a Strong Capstone Opportunity?
This project would include real world experience in a non-traditional museum setting. The GSC is an accredited museum and zoo/aquarium that offers multiple informal educational opportunities in natural science, conservation, and animal science. The permanent and education collections within those teaching opportunities are paramount to the story we tell as a facility, and any capstone student who chooses to join the GSC will have a hand in creating and shaping those opportunities for children in the future.
