Spark Finder Inventory
Student Interest Inventory - Page 1 of 2
BLUEprint
Name:
Date:
Spark Finder
What makes you curious? Complete this sheet to discover your next big project!
1 What topics do you like?
Circle one emoji face for each row.
Building & Making
😞 No
😐 Maybe
😄 Yes!
Animals & Nature
😞 No
😐 Maybe
😄 Yes!
Science & Space
😞 No
😐 Maybe
😄 Yes!
Art, Music, & Design
😞 No
😐 Maybe
😄 Yes!
Games & Tech
😞 No
😐 Maybe
😄 Yes!
2 How do you like to work?
Check the boxes that sound like you!
Making with Hands I like building, drawing, and crafting objects.
Reading & Writing I like books, research, or telling stories.
Watching & Listening I like videos, guides, or listening to others.
Talking & Teamwork I like interviewing, presenting, or group work.
Student Interest Inventory - Page 2 of 2
My Spark Map
Mind Map Brainstorm
Let your thoughts flow! Write or draw in the boxes below to map out your initial ideas.
Things I do for fun...
Questions I wonder about...
My Core Interest Area
Combine your top topics into one central idea here!
Who I want to share with...
What I want to make...
My Top 3 Project Ideas
Spark Finder Teacher Guide
Teacher Facilitation Guide - Page 1 of 1
Teacher Guide
Spark Finder Lesson Plan
A highly accommodated 40-minute interest inventory lesson for launching Genius Hour / Passion Projects.
Duration 40 Minutes
Students Designed for elementary/middle school students with diverse access needs.
Prep Needed Print 1 Spark Finder Inventory double-sided per student. Gather pencils/markers.
Core Goal Identify 1 primary interest area and 3 specific project ideas per student.
Lesson Timeline & Pacing
0-5 Min
Hook & Introduce (Big Ideas)
Introduce Genius Hour. Say: "We are starting a project where you are the boss. You will study something you love. Today we find your spark."
5-15 Min
Part 1: Topic Selection & Modalities
Guide students through Page 1. Read each row aloud if needed. Direct students to circle the emoji that represents how much they like the topic, then select work preferences.
15-30 Min
Part 2: Spark Map Brainstorming
Instruct students to turn to Page 2. Explain each box. Model how a question ("How do planes fly?") connects to a topic ("Science & Space") and an output ("Make a model plane").
30-40 Min
Exit Spark: Peer Share
Have students turn to a partner and share their "Top 3 Project Ideas." Collect sheets to guide next-week pacing and source materials.
Critical Inclusion & Accommodation Strategies
Speech-to-Text & Transcription
Students who find handwriting a barrier can dictate their ideas for the graphic organizer to an assistant, speech-to-text tool, or have a partner write for them.
Visual/Drawing Options
Encourage students to draw simple sketches in the Spark Map boxes instead of writing full sentences if that is more accessible.
Idea-Generating Questions (Write on Board)
- • "If you could teach the class about one thing tomorrow, what would it be?"
- • "What is something you saw on a video or TV show recently that made you wonder?"
- • "What kind of problem in our school or community do you think you could help solve?"