What Sparks Your Interest Warm Up What Sparks Your Interest?
The First Step to Your Passion Project
Name:
Date:
Quick Start
Think about something you absolutely love to do, or something you are super curious about. It could be a hobby, a game, a topic you enjoy learning, or even a problem you wish you could solve!
1
Write down your idea in the space below.
Don't overthink it, just write the first thing that comes to mind!
2
Why does this spark your interest?
What makes it exciting or important to you?
Your Spark Passion Projects Lesson Plan Your Spark: Passion Projects
Facilitator Guide
This lesson helps students discover what truly excites them, making learning more personal and engaging. It lays the groundwork for a research project driven by intrinsic motivation.
30
Minutes
Objective
Students will brainstorm personal interests and select one to explore for their research project.
Audience
6th Grade
Approach
Interactive brainstorming and guided selection.
Prep (10m)
Review the Slide Deck
Print "My Passions" Mind Map (1/student)
Print Warm-Up (1/student)
Set up projector/display
Required Materials
Inspirational Examples Slide Deck "My Passions" Mind Map Worksheet Warm-Up Worksheet
Lesson Flow
01 5 Min
Warm-Up: What Sparks Your Interest?
Distribute the What Sparks Your Interest? warm-up worksheet.
Ask students to complete the activity individually.
02 5 Min
Connect & Wonder: What is a Passion Project?
Display the Title Slide from the deck.
Introduce the concept and ask students for their initial thoughts.
Show Slides 2-4 to showcase diverse examples (Environment, Art/History, Community).
03 10 Min
Explore & Brainstorm: Unlocking Your Interests
Distribute the Mind Map Worksheet .
Explain brainstorming techniques (freewriting, word association).
Guide students to fill out mind maps; circulate to provide support.
04 5 Min
Select & Refine: Choosing Your Spark
Students review their maps and select 1-2 top sparks.
Discuss connecting interests to problems or investigative questions.
Students circle their final choice and write it down.
05 5 Min
Share & Reflect: Looking Ahead
Volunteers share their sparks and reasons.
Collect both worksheets for teacher review.
Tease the next steps: developing these sparks into full projects.
Inspirational Project Examples Slide Deck Discovery
What's Your Spark?
Discovering Your Passion Project
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's theme. Ask them to think about what 'passion' means to them.
Example: Cleaning Up Our Oceans
Interest
Animals, the ocean, helping the planet
Passion Project Idea
Design a campaign to reduce plastic waste in our community to protect marine life.
How it helps
Connects a deep personal interest to a critical global issue .
Discuss this example. Highlight how interest led to solving a real problem. Emphasize observation.
Example: Telling Our Stories
Creative Mix
Reading & Writing
Drawing & Art
History
The Project Idea
Create a short comic book explaining a historical event from a new perspective.
"Combines creativity with learning and sharing knowledge."
Explain how a love for storytelling can become a project. Talk about different ways to express ideas.
Example: Improving Our Space
Interests
Playing outside, community design, making things better
Project Goal
Research ways to make our school playground more accessible or fun for everyone.
Civic Engagement
Addresses a local need and helps you serve your own community.
Everyday problems can spark projects. Encourage students to think about things that could be improved.
Your Spark Awaits!
What are YOU passionate about?
Time to discover!
Summarize that passion projects come from deep personal interests. Transition to the brainstorming activity.
My Passions Mind Map Worksheet My Passions: Mind Map
Map Your Spark!
Name:
Date:
How to Use This Map
In the center circle, write "My Passions." Then, draw lines to write down everything that interests you! Don't worry about perfect answers—just get your ideas down!
Think About:
Hobbies
Subjects
Social Causes
Curiosities
Central Idea
* Feel free to draw more lines and circles!
My Top Spark!
My Chosen Passion Project Idea:
Why this idea sparks my interest: Your Spark Passion Projects Script Facilitator Script
Your Spark: Passion Projects
6th Grade
30 Min Total
00:00 - 00:05
Warm-Up: What Sparks Your Interest?
Action: Distribute "What Sparks Your Interest?" warm-up.
"Good morning, everyone! Let's kick off today with something fun. I'm handing out a quick warm-up called 'What Sparks Your Interest?' . For the next five minutes, I want you to think about something you absolutely love to do, or something you're super curious about. It could be a hobby, a game, a topic you enjoy learning about, or even a problem you wish you could solve."
"Just write down the first idea that comes to mind in the space provided. Don't overthink it! Then, below that, briefly explain why that particular thing sparks your interest. What makes it exciting or important to you?"
Circulate, encouraging students and gently reminding them of the time.
00:05 - 00:10
Connect & Wonder: What is a Passion Project?
"Alright, pencils down for a moment! Who would like to share what sparked their interest today?" [Briefly acknowledge ideas]. "Fantastic ideas, everyone! What you just did is the very first step in something really cool: a Passion Project !"
Action: Display Slide Deck (Slide 1).
"Take a look at this. What do you think a 'passion project' might be? Exactly! It's a project driven by your personal interests. It's about exploring something YOU care about deeply. Let me show you a few examples."
Action: Cycle through Slides 2-4.
Discuss the Ocean Clean-up, Storytelling, and Playground examples. Emphasize how projects grow from interests.
00:10 - 00:20
Explore & Brainstorm: Unlocking Your Interests
Action: Distribute "My Passions" Mind Map Worksheet.
"Now it's your turn to really dig deep! I'm giving each of you a 'My Passions' Mind Map . In the center circle, write 'My Passions.' A mind map is like a web of ideas! Draw lines and write down everything that interests you."
"Think about your hobbies, your favorite school subjects, what problems in the world bother you, or even things you're just curious about—like 'how do airplanes fly?' Just keep adding branches. You have 10 minutes!"
00:20 - 00:30
Select, Share & Reflect
"Look at your map. Which one or two interests truly spark your curiosity the most? Circle your top choice. Then, in the 'My Top Spark!' section at the bottom, write down your project idea and why it's the one for you."
[After 5 mins] "Who would like to share? These are fantastic beginnings! I'm collecting your work now. This is just the first step. Next time, we'll turn these sparks into full-blown research journeys!"
Passion Project Idea Rubric Passion Project Idea Rubric
Evaluating the Spark
Student:
Date:
This rubric will help you understand how your initial passion project idea will be assessed. We are focusing on how well you explore your interests and choose a compelling idea to pursue. This is about the idea , not the final project itself.
Criteria 1 - Needs Improvement 2 - Developing 3 - Proficient 4 - Exemplary Brainstorming Depth (My Passions Mind Map)
| Few ideas generated; ideas are limited or repetitive. | Some ideas generated; ideas show some variety. | A good number of varied ideas reflecting diverse interests. | Many diverse and creative ideas; thorough exploration of interests. |
| Selection of Idea
(Clarity & Focus)
| Chosen idea is unclear or not connected to brainstorming. | Chosen idea is somewhat clear; connection could be stronger. | Idea is clear and relates to brainstormed interests. | Idea is exceptionally clear, innovative, and deeply personal. |
| Justification
(The "Why")
| Little to no explanation of why the idea is interesting. | Basic explanation of interest, but lacks depth or connection. | Clear explanation showing personal connection and curiosity. | Detailed insight showing strong intrinsic motivation and passion. |
Teacher Feedback
Strengths
Next Steps 
