The Process

Brainstorming

Start by brainstorming ideas for a project. Create a list of things you have

always wanted to know or learn
are passionate/extremely interested in
wanted to accomplish in your life

Think big:

If you had one wish, but you had to use it to change the world, what would you do?
In a world where money doesn’t matter, what would you do for a living and why?
What can you do to make school life better for all students?
What is the stereotype of teenagers and what can be done to change that perception?
If you could magically create one invention, what would it be and why?

Make a Choice

Highlight the ideas that seems most interesting to you. Do a little research on them. Find interesting articles or videos. Look for what others have done. Think about what you could do.

Which one is still interesting? Which one do you think will be worthy of your time? Talk about it with your teacher, peers and family?

Narrow your choices until you find the idea that is JUST RIGHT

GOALS

Once you have an idea, you need to create a SMART goal.

SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time framed.

IGNITE!

You will pitch your project idea using the “IGNITE” approach in a 2 minute presentation. This IGNITE pitch will give a very brief summary of your motivation (Why are you doing this?) and present your SMART goal.

Genius Hour Work Days

Throughout the school semester, you will have one day a week to work on your Genius Hour project. You may choose to work at home and use the scheduled Genius Hour time as a productive tutorial period, meeting period, or writing period.

Use this Project Management Sheet (PMS) (PDF) to keep track of your project. The PMS also serves as a two way communication with your teacher and mentors. Keep it updated, and look for questions and comments shared with you.

Keep track of any resources you use. Remember to evaluate any website you visit and use by rating it according to your CITE-IT rubric.

Ted Talk Presentation

You are done! All your hard work paid off. You are ready to present your work to the community.

You will give a five-minute presentation to students, teachers, and community members where you will show off their work.

This Ted-Talk is a carefully written, choreographed, and rehearsed to produce the best presentation you have ever given. In order to have a successful presentation, you must have a visual that includes your SMART goal, explains your process (this is where the blog becomes key), and shows your final product or demonstrates the skill you aquired.

These TED-style presentations may be recorded and the students may add them to their digital portfolios.