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