I work with high school students who are trying to solve big problems. They want to achieve gender equality, fight implicit bias and improve mental health in their schools. But too often, they’re tied down by the system. They need to finish their paper, study for the test or submit an assignment.
We literally have kids standing up with great ideas to solve the biggest issues and we’re telling them to memorize trigonometry functions instead of helping to push their projects forward.
The world is begging for new solutions to these problems. Students have them. But they don’t have the time and space to try it out.
Imagine a different reality. For the student who is writing a children’s book to address implicit bias. Her english class is about storybook writing, and developing compelling characters. Her art class is about drawing the scenes, and using color to convey emotions. Her computer science class is about developing a website, and games to accompany the book. Her economics class is focused on the book industry, and how to breakeven as an indy author.
Can you imagine a more empowering and transformative learning experience?
That’s where the world is going. It has to be. Because if it isn’t, we have no hope.
A passion project isn’t an afterthought. It is the thought.