Oct
October — Program Launch
Weeks 1–4 · Component 1: Exploring Curiosity & Building Inquiry Culture
Week 1: Introduction to passion projects with case studies (Apple, Disney, LEGO, Minecraft, Nike, YouTube, Ben & Jerry's, Crayola, Dell, Instagram, Patagonia, Khan Academy, Etsy, Velcro). Five-lesson sequence: Understanding Passion Projects, Finding Your Interests, Defining Your "Why", Brainstorming Project Ideas, Finalizing a Project Choice.
Weeks 2–3: Topic selection, preliminary research, peer consultation. Students begin exploring interests through the cultural lens activities from Unit 1 Lessons 2–8.
Week 4: Research methodology introduction. Lesson 10 formally launches the passion project with vision statements integrating all 8 SEL dimensions. Transition to Unit 2 begins.
Nov
November — Research Foundation
Weeks 5–8 · Component 2 begins: Research Methods & Media Literacy
Weeks 5–6: Research plan creation, source identification. Unit 2 Lessons 1–3: Digital research introduction, evaluating online sources, note-taking and organization.
Weeks 7–8: Information gathering, organization systems. Unit 2 Lessons 4–5: Plagiarism and citation, advanced search techniques. Component 3 (Interdisciplinary Connections) begins informally as students discover cross-curricular links.
Dec
December — Goal Setting & Planning
Weeks 9–12 · Component 2 continues, deepening research skills
Weeks 9–10: Project goal articulation, timeline development. Unit 2 Lessons 6–7: Fact-checking and verification, digital research tools.
Weeks 11–12: Formal proposal writing, peer review. Unit 2 Lesson 8: Research project application, digital research portfolios compiled. Students write formal project proposals synthesizing their research direction.
Jan
January — Development Phase 1
Weeks 13–16 · Component 3 (Interdisciplinary) intensifies, Component 4 begins
Weeks 13–14: Initial project creation. Students begin building their projects with the research foundation from Units 1 and 2. Cross-curricular connections become explicit: science connections, mathematical data, historical context.
Weeks 15–16: Visual element integration, content development. Component 4 (Creative Representation) begins. Students start brainstorming how to represent their learning creatively: games, activities, models, digital media.
Feb
February — Hands-On Development
Weeks 17–20 · Components 3 & 4 active, Component 5 begins
Weeks 17–18: Experimental work, practical application. Students are deep in their creative representation work. Hands-on building, prototyping, and iterating.
Weeks 19–20: Mid-point evaluation, feedback integration. Critical reflection checkpoint. Component 5 (Informational Writing Synthesis) begins. Students start synthesizing research into written form while continuing creative work.
Mar
March — Revision & Enhancement
Weeks 21–24 · Components 3, 4 & 5 converge
Weeks 21–22: Content revision, argument strengthening. Writing drafts receive peer and teacher feedback. Creative representation projects are refined based on mid-point evaluation.
Weeks 23–24: Interdisciplinary connection development. Component 4 wraps up. Students formalize the cross-curricular connections in their writing. Required integration areas: science, mathematics, literacy, visual arts, history/social studies, career exploration.
Apr
April — Finalization
Weeks 25–28 · Component 5 continues, Component 6 begins
Weeks 25–26: Final content completion, quality assurance. Multiple-draft writing process nears completion. Individual voice and style within academic structure are polished. Evidence integration and citation are finalized.
Weeks 27–28: Peer review, final adjustments. Component 6 (Oral Presentation) begins. Students start developing presentation skills: audience analysis, visual aid planning, initial presentation outlines.
May
May — Presentation Preparation
Weeks 29–32 · Component 5 wraps, Component 6 intensifies
Weeks 29–30: Visual aid creation, presentation skills development. Writing component finalizes. Students create presentation materials and begin practicing delivery.
Weeks 31–32: Rehearsals, confidence building. Mock presentations in small groups with structured peer feedback. Focus on clarity, organization, engagement strategies. Confidence building through repeated low-stakes practice.
Jun
June — Presentations & Reflection
Weeks 33–35 · The culmination
Weeks 33–34: Public presentations to multiple audiences: classmates, parents, and potentially the wider school community. Students present their passion projects with confidence, demonstrating the full arc of their journey from curiosity to expertise.
Week 35: Reflection, portfolio completion, celebration. Students compile final reflective portfolios documenting their growth. Assessment includes self-evaluation, peer evaluation, and teacher evaluation. The year closes with a celebration of curiosity, growth, and community.