Passion Projects with Purpose

After introducing Passion Projects and 20% Time to my classes we began generating ideas. My students had some amazing ideas for Passion Projects.As they worked through their initial ideas they struggled for purpose in their Passion Project.  For example, while they may like a particular activity such as knitting, questions about purpose arouse. Why were they knitting? Was it just for enjoyment? Could there be a bigger purpose?
I decided to ask a few questions of my students based on conversations I heard while walking around the room.

I am a firm believer that true success only comes when we find a way to solve a problem and make the world better for ourselves or others. So I added the idea of purpose to our Passion Projects.  

How can you develop purpose in your Passion Project?

Now with a passion for knitting you could teach young children to knit, sell knitted items to raise money for a charity, knit with an elderly neighbor that needs a friend, donate baby knitted items to a children's hospital, and the list goes on and on.

That's Passion with a Purpose!

Starting Our Passion Project Journey

One Friday I stood in front of my classes and told them the time in class that day would be theirs. I explained the importance of finding your passion.  I told them all they were Geniuses! I talked about Google's 20% Time and all the incredible innovations that come out of that time.  I showed motivational video clips on how to find your passion and change the world. I explained that we were going to start a Passion Project. Each one of them would be able to develop an idea based on their passion and make it happen.  I was so excited and so passionate about this idea. This would be amazing!
I had imagined my students jumping with joy at the thought of creating a project based on their likes and interests. However, I found out that when you ask a bunch of high schoolers "What's your passion?" you pretty much end up with a bunch of blank stare and a few whispers..."What is she talking about?"..."What does she mean we are going to develop a project based on our ...what?"..."She has finally lost it this time!" It was much harder for them than I ever imagined.
Who knew finding your passion could be so difficult. As adults, we all found our passion so easily, right?!? Ok, maybe not.
So I started simple. First I had to defined "Passion" for my students.

Passion: a strong feeling of enthusiasm for something or about doing something

I gave them a series of questions about themselves and their lives in hopes that it would help them narrow down their ideas.

For some it did, but there were still others lost. I knew that being lost was not always a bad thing when looking for your passion.  I kept going hoping as we moved along in the process more would have that glorious "Aha" moment.
Each Friday we dove a little deeper into the passion project idea generating process.  The best brainstorm session came when I randomly put 3-4 students together at tables and asked them to answer a few questions together based on some things I had noticed them talking about in class.

After a little collaboration the ideas started flowing.We were finally off and running...at least most of us. There were still a few, but they will get there soon.

So we began our Passion Project journey together