Genius Hour

links: inspiration; opportunities/ideas;

and Getting Started

What is genius hour?

What Genius Hour IS and IS NOT:

Genius Hour IS...

A project that will take you multiple weeks and trials to complete. You should be building something, creating something, makings something better. Below are some student samples from past projects.

Copy of LED Tilt-Lamp Genius hour project

Copy of Genius Hour Beef Jerky

Copy of Genius Hour Presentation

Copy of Jump rope

Genius Hour IS NOT...

A research report.

Although you will need to do some background research to get started, this is NOT your genius hour project. You will need to do something with the research you do.

For example it is NOT a genius hour project if you only do research on how to make brownies and find a brownie recipe to put in your presentation. If you do not make the brownies (and preferably 3 or 4 versions of the brownies) then you you have done a research report and not a genius hour project.

need to try chem reaction need ask help

The student did not have the chemicals to do the project so they did not do anything.

A Genius Hour project MUST involve doing or making something NOT JUST research.

What should the student have done?

Copy of Soccer Showcase (Elmo/Emiliano)

This student presented about soccer but it is not a genius hour yet…

They should have:

Included a personal goal
Documented in pictures/photos and words how the was met (or attempted)

Not YET.....

Found a brownie recipe

Did a presentation about a movie

Tell me all about video games (ie fortnight or minecraft)

How to make it Genius...

Make several recipes and pick the best (bring samples the night of).

Research about special effects and try your own green screen or stop action movie.

Try to code your own animation; learn about jobs in the industry and write to creators to "interview" them about their work.

Inspiration:

People are pursuing their passions all around you. Here are some real life examples of what "genius hour" or a passion project can lead to. (follow the link)