A Passion Project is a project-based learning activity in which you research any topic you are passionate about and create a project to share with the class, the school, the community....the world! The Passion Project encourages creativity at home and in the classroom and promotes inquiry, perseverance, problem solving, and innovation, among other lifelong skills.
Passion Project (also known as Genius Hour or 20% time) has many roots, but is based on a business practice used by Google with its employees. Google allows their developers to spend up to 20% of their work week to pursue projects of personal interest. The rationale is that happy, inspired, engaged employees are more motivated, innovative, and productive. Google’s 20% projects have worked so well that some of their most popular ideas, such as g-mail and Google News were created during this time.
Challenge yourself to think BIG! Passion Projects have no boundaries. Think outside of the box (or the living room or the classroom!) to pursue areas of genuine, authentic interest and inquiry.