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98 Passion Project Ideas for High School Students

July 31, 2023

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase passion projects before, but you aren’t sure what it means. Or, maybe you’re looking for a list of passion project ideas to inspire you toward your new venture. Look no further! This article will not only help you better define what passion projects are but also will provide 100 passion project ideas for high school students to choose from.

What is a Passion Project?

So, you might be wondering: what is a passion project? In short, passion projects are independent projects separate from any academic or employment requirements. Often, they take multiple forms. When someone first thinks of a passion project, they may think of a creative avenue. However, passion projects can also include community outreach and involvement, research, fundraisers, and more.

Put simply, passion projects allow you to explore a specialized interest in greater detail. With passion projects, you can refine a particular skill, talent, or trade. Not only are these activities enjoyable ways to spend your time, but also, in some (but certainly not all cases) they may make you a more desirable candidate for college admissions boards. Let’s pause to touch on that important subject for a moment…

Do I need a Passion Project to get into an Elite College?

We do not recommend spending your precious free hours in high school on a passion project unless:

• It is something you truly wish to do with your time because you are, you know, passionate about it.
• Your project directly relates to your areas of academic and/or career interest, in which case it may actually have admissions-related value.

What is a Passion Project? – Continued

Passion projects can prove to be a significant undertaking. From planning, organization, and time commitments, passion projects require motivation, innovation, intellectual curiosity, and dedication. These qualities will make you more appealing to any admissions board looking at prospective students. Plus, you’ll bring a unique skill set to the table from your experiences. You’ll be able to tell an admissions board more about your interests in a way transcripts can’t always demonstrate.

And the good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. While passion projects can be individual undertakings, group passion projects are also worthwhile ways to spend your time. You can build meaningful connections and relationships while also pursuing your interests. Overall, passion projects are beneficial not only for personal growth but also for giving your application a competitive edge.

So, you’re itching to begin a new project but aren’t sure where to start. This list of passion project ideas is sure to help you find what interests you!

Put Personal Interests First!

While looking for passion project ideas, it’s always a good idea to think about your personal interests first. For example, if you aren’t a person who enjoys working outdoors, it wouldn’t be the best idea to start a project requiring a lot of time in nature.

If you are looking to get an admissions-related benefit, the most worthwhile area is likely going to involve a research project based on your prospective major . Think about how your passion projects will set you on the path to future success. Maybe the skills you learn during your free time will translate well into what you want to study.

Finally, it’s important to remember that you may want to try many passion project ideas. You don’t have to stick to just one!

Passion Project Ideas for High School Students 

Below is a curated list of 98 passion project ideas for your inspiration! So you can easily find a project aligning with your interests, I’ve separated the list by category.

Community-Based Passion Project Ideas for High School Students 

1) Starting a community garden to help grow produce or even for beautification.

2) Organize a food drive to aid local food pantries.

3) Similarly, you can also host a book drive to help make literature more accessible. If you haven’t heard of Free Little Library, they are easy to create in your neighborhood and fun to organize!

4) Learn a new language to better communicate with others.

5) Organize a neighborhood garage sale for repurposing.

6) Start a letter-writing campaign to help influence political change.

7) Also, you could volunteer for a telemarketing campaign.

8) Lead tutoring sessions to help underclassmen learn new subjects.

9) Host community service events in your area to gain local involvement in relevant causes.

10) Volunteer at your local animal shelter.

11) Create campaigns to help fundraise for your desired nonprofit.

12) Host youth mentoring programs to help support and guide younger students.

13) Join a rally or protest for a cause you feel strongly about.

14) Find a pen pal to communicate with.

15) Learn ASL (American Sign Language).

16) Walk for a cause to raise awareness.

For more ideas on community service projects, check out this curated list of 100 community service project ideas .

Tech-Based Passion Project Ideas for High School Students 

17) Designing an app to help solve a problem you’ve recently noticed.

18) Learning to build and design websites for yourself or others.

19) Start a blog on a topic that feels important to you.

20) Filming a video or documentary on a social cause.

21) Once you’ve filmed, you can learn how to use editing software .

22) Create a podcast to help bring information to others.

23) Design your own video game .

24) Learn a new programming language .

25) Create a virtual tour of an area that you feel needs more attention.

26) Help lead workshops to help make technology more accessible.

27) Start your own social media campaign to raise awareness about a social cause.

28) If you’re interested in a more advanced project, you can learn the basics of 3D printing .

29) Research more about a topic of interest and curate a research paper or project about your findings.

30) Set up a digital planner to help keep you organized and share the outline with others.

31) Learn how the basics of mechanics work by deconstructing and rebuilding technologies like old computers and TVs.

32) Take a look at the stars and learn the basics of astronomy.

33) Or, learn more about astrology .

34) You can also learn the basics of meteorology .

If research is your favorite, and you enjoy learning more about technology, this list of technology research ideas would also be a good resource to help get you started.

Creative Passion Projects

35) Write short stories or poems , for yourself or for publication.

36) Likewise, you can create your own comic book or graphic novels .

37) Learn how to shoot professional photography .

38) Become a reviewer of literature or film.

39) Host a book club to share your opinions and connect with friends.

40) Record and produce your own music .

41) Similarly, you can learn how to play a new instrument .

42) Audition for local theater and hone your acting skills.

43) Teach an art class for a medium that you enjoy.

Passion Project Ideas for High School Students (Continued)

44) Learn more about interior design and redecorate your space.

45) Learn how to knit or sew to create your own unique designs.

46) Write a weekly newsletter to help spread the word on topics you care about.

47) Take an art class in a medium you’ve never tried before, like pottery or painting .

48) Sharpen your cooking skills by learning new recipes.

49) Similarly, you can indulge your sweet tooth and start baking your own desserts.

50) Once those desserts are out of the oven, you can learn how to decorate cakes and cookies.

51) Learn how to repurpose your clothing and upcycle your look.

52) Locate interesting pieces, like charms or beads, to create your own jewelry .

53) Practice the art of calligraphy and write letters to friends and family.

54) Create and design your own board game .

55) Curate your own collection of unique items you enjoy: like rocks, vintage clothing, stamps, and more!

56) Design your own wall art or mural installation to help beautify your neighborhood or to spread awareness for a social cause.

57) Try your hand at woodworking and create some unique designs.

58) Take vocal lessons to exercise your singing voice.

59) Interview your family to learn more about your family history.

60) Then, you can take a DNA test and trace your genealogy .

61) Experiment with different types of makeup to create your own unique looks.

62) When you’ve found your new look, you can add an outfit for a specialized cosplay design.

Activity-Based Projects

63) Find new bike trails to ride in your neighborhood.

64) Train for a 5K or other long-distance races. Check out this curated running race finder that organizes by state!

65) Locate the best places to spend the weekend camping.

66) Or, set the goal to camp at every National Park .

67) Plan a hiking trip to spend more time in nature and travel to new and interesting destinations.

68) Learn a new water-based sport , like surfing or diving.

69) Join your local recreational center and get involved in their offered programs.

70) Create a club sports team with your friends.

71) Take lessons for a new sport you enjoy but have never played before.

72) As well, you could lead fitness classes for activities like yoga.

73) Plan to visit every major league stadium for your favorite sport, like baseball or basketball.

74) Try out new methods of exercise , like skateboarding or rollerblading.

75) Exercise your spatial awareness by making and assembling puzzles .

76) Similarly, taking up chess could be a good way to test your strategy skills.

77) Take up daily journaling to track your thoughts.

78) Visit your local museums , like the history and art museums, to learn about your area.

79) Look up where you can compete in adventure racing , a multidisciplinary team sport involving navigating outdoor courses.

80) Try your hand at geocaching .

81) Visit new local eateries in your area to broaden your palette.

82) If you’re feeling more adventurous, seek out opportunities for zip lining.

83) Or, even white-water rafting .

84) Reach new heights at your local climbing gym .

85) Attend live music events in your area to find new bands and artists.

86) Seek out your local Comic-Con or other conventions in your area that target your interests.

87) Get into magic or sleight-of-hand and show off your new tricks.

Environmental Projects

88) Initiate a neighborhood recycling program if one is not currently available.

89) Create a cleanup initiative to help remove litter from roadways.

90) Plant trees and other native botanicals to help produce cleaner air.

91) Set up your own rain barrel to reuse water for gardening.

92) Build birdhouses for safe shelter and to better identify local wildlife.

93) Install solar panels to help reduce your home’s energy usage.

94) Initiate a water bottle campaign for reusable bottles instead of plastic ones.

95) Get involved in removing invasive species , like kudzu.

96) Establish your own hives for backyard beekeeping .

97) Grow your own food , like fresh vegetables and fruits.

98) Then, you can preserve your produce by canning

Maybe you’re interested in both technology and the environment. If you’re looking for ideas on environmental research topics, we’ve got you covered. Click here for a curated list.

Hopefully, this list has helped you answer the question: what is a passion project? With so many passion project ideas to choose from, you’ll be sure to find something that resonates with your interests. Whether it’s getting outside and exploring nature or staying home with a paper and pencil, any passion project you choose will have its benefits. Plus, you’ll be able to learn some new skills along the way. As long as you’re doing what you enjoy, any project will be a great way to spend your time.

• Extracurricular Activities

Meghan Dairaghi

With a BA in English and an MFA in Creative Writing, Meghan has served as a writing tutor at the University of Missouri St. Louis and Maryville University. Additionally, Meghan has held editorial roles at River Styx and Boulevard, and was a prose reader at Farside Review . Most recently, her work has been featured in Belle Ombre , Flypaper Lit , and Mag 20/20 , among others, and she was nominated for the Mary Troy Prize in Fiction. 

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30 Passion Project Ideas College Admissions Love

It’s important to showcase your interests through your extracurricular activities, and developing a passion project is a great way to explore your interests while enhancing your college application.

With so many options for passion projects, it might tough to even find a starting point. In this blog, we’ll explore different passion project ideas, their benefits, and how to get started!

What is a passion project?

A passion project is a personal project that someone undertakes out of a strong interest or curiosity in a particular topic, idea, or skill. It’s usually a self-directed project that is not tied to any specific academic or professional requirement.

Passion projects can take many forms, including creative endeavors, community initiatives, research projects, or personal challenges.

Pursuing a passion project can also be a deeply fulfilling and rewarding experience that fosters personal growth and self-awareness. It can boost confidence, build resilience, and encourage you to take ownership of your own learning and personal development.

They provide a space for creativity, innovation, and personal growth, and can help individuals stand out in the competitive college application space .

What are the benefits of pursuing a passion project for college applicants?

For college applicants, pursuing a passion project can have several benefits, including:

• Demonstrating commitment : Pursuing a passion project shows commitment and dedication to a particular interest or cause. This can be attractive to college admissions committees, as it demonstrates an ability to pursue goals outside of traditional academic settings and can show a willingness to take initiative.
• Showcasing skills : Whether it's learning a new programming language, developing a volunteer program, or honing a creative craft, passion projects can be a great way to showcase skills and talents that may not be reflected in academic transcripts or test scores. For example, if you have a passion for filmmaking and have created a short film, this project can showcase skills in storytelling, cinematography, and editing.
• Standing out in the application process : Passion projects can help you stand out in the application process. College admissions committees often see a lot of applications from students with similar academic profiles, so a passion project can help you differentiate yourself from other candidates.
• Building a portfolio : Pursuing a passion project can help you build a portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills and accomplishments that may not be reflected in academic credentials. This can be useful in showcasing experience and expertise to potential colleges or future employers.
• Showing personal growth : Pursuing a passion project can demonstrate personal growth and development. It shows that you are willing to take risks and pursue interests outside of your comfort zone, which can be an attractive quality to colleges.
• Exploring interests : Passion projects allow you to explore and delve deeper into areas of personal interest that may not be covered in traditional academic settings. This can lead to a deeper understanding of a particular subject and can even spark new interests or career paths.
• Enhancing creativity : Passion projects provide a space for creativity and innovation. You can approach your projects in unconventional ways, experiment with new ideas, and take risks without the pressure of academic expectations.

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30 Passion Project Ideas for High Schoolers

Arts and crafts.

Channel your artistic flair into a passion project that not only showcases your talent, but also reveals your unique perspective.

Your passion project is not just an artistic endeavor; it's a canvas for expressing your individuality, something college admissions officers truly value.

• Create a series of unique paintings inspired by your favorite books or movies.
• Design and handcraft personalized greeting cards for different occasions.
• Explore the art of origami and challenge yourself with intricate paper creations.

Tech and Innovation

In the digital age, tech-savvy students stand out, making a passion project in tech and innovation a valuable addition to your college application . Colleges appreciate students who not only embrace technology but also leverage it for meaningful projects.

• Develop a mobile app to solve a problem you've always wanted to tackle.
• Build a website showcasing your photography portfolio or a blog about a niche interest.
• Dive into the world of robotics and create a mini-bot with unique functionalities.

Writing and Literature

For aspiring wordsmiths, a passion project in writing and literature can be a powerful asset in the college admissions process. Start a blog that dives deep into your favorite literary genres, demonstrating your analytical and communication skills.

• Start a blog exploring your favorite literary genres or book reviews.
• Write a collection of short stories or poetry that reflects your personal experiences.
• Begin work on your novel—every journey starts with a single word!

Nature and Outdoor Adventures

Colleges appreciate students with diverse interests and a commitment to well-rounded personal development. Your nature-centric passion project offers colleges a glimpse into your multifaceted character and your potential contributions to campus life.

• Document a photojournal of your local hikes and trails.
• Start a community garden to promote sustainable living.
• Create a guidebook for birdwatching in your region.

Health and Wellness

In an era where holistic well-being is highly valued, a passion project centered around health and wellness can make your college application stand out.

Experimenting with healthy recipes showcases creativity and a commitment to a balanced lifestyle, qualities that resonate well with college admissions officers looking for students with diverse interests and a focus on well-being.

• Develop a personalized workout routine and share it with an online community.
• Dive into the world of meditation and create a mindfulness podcast.
• Experiment with creating healthy and delicious recipes, documenting your culinary journey.

DIY Home Projects

Colleges seek students who are not only academically inclined but also possess practical skills and a sense of creativity. Transforming spaces through DIY home projects demonstrates innovation and resourcefulness.

• Build custom furniture pieces tailored to your home's aesthetic.
• Start a home renovation project, whether it's a small room or a cozy backyard space.
• Experiment with upcycling old items into functional and stylish pieces.

Music and Sound

Colleges appreciate students with a passion for the arts, and a project in music and sound can be a unique way to showcase your creativity. Your music-centric passion project can be a melody that resonates with college admissions officers seeking students with diverse talents and a commitment to artistic expression.

• Learn a new musical instrument and document your progress.
• Compose and produce your original music track or album.
• Create a podcast discussing your favorite music genres and artists.

History and Culture

Colleges value students who demonstrate a curiosity about the world around them. A passion project in history and culture is a powerful way to convey this intellectual curiosity. Your history and culture passion project can be the key to unlocking doors to colleges that appreciate well-rounded individuals with a global perspective.

• Develop a documentary series about local history or cultural traditions.
• Start a blog analyzing historical events and their relevance today.
• Create an interactive map showcasing historical landmarks in your community.

Public Speaking and Debating

Colleges appreciate students with strong communication skills, and a passion project in public speaking and debating can be a valuable asset, and building essential communication skills reflects your commitment to personal and intellectual development.

• Start a YouTube channel where you discuss and debate current affairs or thought-provoking topics.
• Organize and participate in a local or online debate competition.
• Create a public speaking series focused on building essential communication skills.

Philanthropy and Community Service

Colleges value students who demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact on their communities, and a passion project in philanthropy and community service is a great way to show that. Volunteering at local organizations and documenting your experiences not only reflects your commitment but also your ability to articulate the impact of your service.

• Start a community service project addressing a specific local need.
• Establish a fundraising campaign for a cause you're passionate about.
• Volunteer at local organizations and document your experiences to raise awareness.

Brainstorming Ideas for Passion Projects

Brainstorming passion project ideas requires a combination of self-reflection, community awareness, and creativity. By considering personal interests, community needs, and current trends, you can create projects that align with your passions and make a positive impact.

Here are some tips for high schoolers to brainstorm passion project ideas:

• Reflect on personal interests: Start by thinking about what you are passionate about. Consider your hobbies, extracurricular activities, and things that you enjoy doing in your free time. Think about how you can turn these interests into a project that can benefit others.
• Identify gaps in the community : Look for gaps or needs in your community that you can address through a passion project. This could be something as simple as starting a community garden or as complex as creating a program to address mental health issues in your school. By identifying needs in your community , you can create a project that not only satisfies your interests but also benefits others.
• Research current trends : Keep up to date with current trends and events that are happening in your area or globally. Look for opportunities to create a project that addresses a current issue or trend. For example, if you are passionate about environmental sustainability, you could create a project that addresses the issue of plastic waste in your community.
• Consider skills and talents : Consider your skills and talents when brainstorming passion project ideas. Think about how you can use your existing skills to create a project that aligns with your passions. For example, if you are skilled in graphic design, you could create a social media campaign to raise awareness about a particular issue.
• Collaborate with others : Collaborate with others to generate passion project ideas. Brainstorm with friends, family members, or peers who share similar interests. You can also reach out to community organizations or local businesses to identify opportunities for collaboration.
• Think about your college goals : Consider how your passion project can align with your college goals. Think about how your project can demonstrate your leadership skills, creativity, and commitment to a particular cause. This can help you stand out in the college application process.

Building The Perfect Application

Passion projects and extracurriculars are just one piece of the puzzle. It could be difficult to navigate the ins and outs of the college admission process, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

Working with an expert strategist is a surefire way to perfect your application. Students working with our strategists are 7x more likely to gain admission into their dream university.

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51 Passion Project Ideas & Examples List for 2024

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Are you feeling stuck? Like you're treading in water, flapping around but not really going anywhere? If so, you're not alone.

Many people can feel frustrated, stuck, and ultimately unfulfilled when they get trapped in a basic work-life routine. One great way to free yourself from that basic routine of go to work/go home/ go to sleep/start over is by taking on a passion project. 

In this article, we will explore the concept of passion projects and then you will discover 35 ideas to help you get started .

But first, let’s begin with a simple definition.

Table of Contents

What Are Passion Projects?

Passion projects are projects that inspire you; projects that push you to explore your inner creativity and personality.

It is important to note that passion projects aren't hobbies nor should they be approached as some type of side income. Do not look for a passion project to free you from your current work set-up because the moment you transition a passion project from being fun and pursued solely for your own enjoyment in it is the moment many find that their passion in it will die. 

Instead, passion projects are projects that people should get into solely because they love how it makes them feel and how it inspires them to tap into something bigger inside themselves. 

Need some help finding a type of passion project for you to pursue?

Consider the following guide of 51 fantastic passion project ideas….

51 Passion Project Ideas to Pursue

Creative writing passion projects.

1. Start Writing Short Stories or Fan Fiction. You don't have to be a published author to get enjoyment out of creative writing. Writing short stories about characters you love, such as fan fiction , is a great way to get your creative juices going.

Plus, this type of writing has a great online community in which you can get involved in. If you ever find yourself drawn to write that great American novel, your practice in smaller works will give you critical experience, insight, and inspiration. 

2. Become a Reviewer for Something You Love.  Do you love visiting local restaurants? Getting your dogs cute toys and custom treats? Or do you have children with whom you want to experience more of your city? Whatever the case, combine that which you already do (eating, shopping, traveling) and start reviewing.

Create an online blog to share with others or make a personal journal or scrapbook. You can also do both, keep your private thoughts somewhere but also share via an online review site like Yelp.

3. Learn Calligraphy and Make Every Future Card and Present Personal.  This is a small creative writing passion project, but a project nonetheless. Calligraphy is a gorgeous written art form and a great side project for those who love writing and gift-giving. 

4. Engage in Letter-Writing Campaigns.  If you love writing but wish you could do something more meaningful with it, consider engaging in letter-writing campaigns. No matter what you are interested in or passionate about, letter-writing campaigns are an effective grassroots type of advocacy that can be highly effective. This type of passion project is great for fueling frustration you might have about big issues that would otherwise seem too big to tackle. 

5. Create Your Own Zine.  While zines are mostly connected with '90s and '00s youth culture, they are still popular, and they can be created by anyone of any age. Your zine can be about anything you like.

You can do a DIY zine about how to fish and cook those fish you catch, you can do a travel zine featuring your favorite places to travel, you can vent and use your zine as a place to talk about the craziness of your workplace. The world is your oyster. When you're done, keep it as your own personal book or send them out. 

In Your Backyard Passion Projects

6. Redesign Your Landscape.  Landscape design is a fun and creative venture that has the big benefit of leaving you with a gorgeous and possibly more functional backyard once you're done with it. But don't just jump into tearing up your grass. See this as a project to become well-versed in landscape design.

Take an in-person course on gardening at your local garden shop, read books about landscape design, volunteer with relevant groups to hone your skills, and really get an idea of how best to redesign your backyard landscape. 

7. Attract Bees, Birds, and Butterflies.  It's no secret that pollinators are in trouble. Consider taking on a passion project to invite bees, birds, and butterflies both to your backyard and your neighborhood. This type of project will often merge with the above landscape redesign project as you look to create homes and spaces for such animals to live and thrive in. 

8. Start a Community Garden.  Don't have a lot of space in your own backyard for plants and butterfly features? Why not share your interest and passion of gardening with others by starting a community garden ?

A cooperative garden is a great passion project for those who are outgoing and want more personal connections with their neighbors. That's because community gardens have a way of becoming multi-purposeful places in which people naturally congregate for events big and small. 

9. Train a Pup for Competition.  Agility courses, nose work, diving dogs — all of these are great areas of competition in which to train a dog. Taking on a puppy, whether you choose a rescue or go to a breeder, and training them to excel in some type of competition will come with its risks (you have to find or hope for the right personality) but this type of long-term human-animal partnership is a fantastic passion project.

When you really build up that relationship with your furry pal, you'll find that there really is nothing like the bond between a man and man's best friend. Plus, going to competitions is a great way to meet new people and new places. Live in the city and think you're limited? Check out ratting in NYC  (disclaimer, not for the squeamish). 

10. Hold Workshops.  If you have an activity you already love, then what about taking on as a passion project a mission to share that activity? Hosting a series of workshops in your own backyard or at some other venue is a great way to really unleash that creativity, get connected with other people, and even learn something about yourself. After all, they say the best way to learn something is to teach it. 

11. Raise Your Own Food.  And we're not just talking about a basic garden here. Check your local ordinances and see what they allow in terms of other types of food raising. Can you have chickens so as to have your own eggs? What about raising rabbits or ducks as an alternative source of meat?

Raising your own food is a hard but very rewarding passion project as better understanding where one's food comes from and what it takes to get it from farm to plate will go a long way in making one more empathetic and ecologically-conscious. 

Health and Wellness Passion Projects

12. Train for a Marathon.  Running marathons has become exceptionally popular in recent years thanks to it being such a low-cost activity that is available to anyone, anywhere. All you need is a good pair of running shoes to get started.

Training for a marathon is a great health passion project as it encourages one to work on their overall endurance and to get outside exercise every week. Then, at the end, you'll be rewarded with that big marathon run. 

13. Launch a Fitness or Nutrition YouTube.  Two of the biggest sub-niches on YouTube are exercise and nutrition videos. While yes, this means there are a lot of videos already out there, it also means there are a lot of people eager to see new and alternative takes on the best fitness and nutrition recommendations.

If you enjoy giving advice or you think you have a killer routine, then why not share it with the world via YouTube? You can also start by following already successful influencers and making yourself the first paradigm of health and wellness. 

14. Become a Fitness Instructor, Such as a Yoga Instructor.  While yes, you do have to be reasonably fit to be a yoga instructor, you can become an instructor with relative ease so long as you dedicate yourself to it.

Check online for local classes and yoga studios that offer teacher training you can do in your off-hours. Train and get your certification and then share that passion and experience with others. 

15. Train and Take on a Long-Distance Hike. Hate running but love the outdoors? What about training for a world-class long-distance hike? Hiking one of these ultimate scenic trails is a fantastic passion project to take on — and it certainly is a project.

You will need to work up your endurance on hikes and do experiments on short hikes to make sure you know how much you're willing and capable to carry for an enjoyable camping experience. This all takes time, but time well spent as you work towards your dream hiking adventure. 

16. Plan an Overnight Boating Adventure.  Another alternative is to get into boating, which has the big advantage over hiking of having the water vehicle carry all your gear instead of your back. Plus, there are so many different types of boats to look at as you consider where you want your passion project to take you.

Kayaks and canoes are fantastic boats for rivers and lakes and there are a great number of outfitters that can get you started with overnight boating adventures for just a small fee. You might also look at sailboats and sailing around local bays and similar waterways. 

Crafting Passion Projects

17. Take Up Knitting or Crocheting.  Knitting and similar needlework crafts are seeing a resurgence in popularity by people of all ages thanks to its usefulness and versatility. When you know how to knit, you can knit anywhere. Waiting for jury duty, relaxing while your partner watches their favorite television show, and when meeting up with friends at a barbecue.

It's a craft that keeps your hands busy but still gives you the presence of mind to converse and talk with others. Best of all, you have something at the end of it to show off. Watch some tutorials, grab some yarn, and join a Stitch N' Bitch group to get started. 

18. Take Actual Craft Courses Like Pottery Classes.  Ceramic pottery is a timeless art form and another great craft that gives you something really useful at the end of it. This, however, isn't a passion project you typically can start on your own because of the expensive equipment involved. So check your local community colleges and art groups to join a pottery class and get started. 

19. Refurbish Old and Vintage Furniture.  If you have a good aesthetic eye, are handy with tools, and have the right equipment, then maybe a good passion project is taking old furniture and either refurbishing it or transforming it into something new.

This is a great passion project to fill out your home and is one of the rare examples of a passion project that can turn a nice penny if you are gifted enough. 

20. Upcycle Old Clothes.  Furniture isn't the only thing that often goes out of date and out of care. If you're handing with a sewing machine or have always wanted to become handy with a sewing machine, then consider a passion project revolving around upcycling old and thrift store-bought clothes. 

21. Take Up Painting or  Become a Model for Others.  There are so, so, so many fantastic resources for those who want to get started painting. And painting is one of those passion projects that you can take anywhere and do anything with. For example, you might prioritize painting all of the clock towers in your state and then making your own little book about it. That's a fantastic goal to have as part of a painting passion project.

22. Take Up a Big Woodworking Project.  Woodworking is a fantastic niche in which to develop your own passion project goals. For example, consider aiming to build your own tiny sailboat or canoe within two years or so. To get started, you will first have to learn how to use and be comfortable with all manner of tools and slowly, but surely build up your skill levels. 

More Cerebral Passion Projects.

23. Commit to Reading X Books a Week or Month and Review/Post/Share Them.  Reading is another act in which the more you do it, the more empathetic you can become, thereby making you into a better person. The problem is that too many people get too distracted in today's ever-hectic world.

Making reading your passion project by setting out strict reading goals and then choosing some manner in which to share that which you've read. Such as with a book review newsletter, podcast, or blog. You might even start a book club to encourage others to get on the same page. 

24. Take on a Research Project and Follow Through with Something Like Writing a Biography or Historical Book.  You don't have to be an academic, published author, or working historian, sociologist, or economist to take on a research project. If there is something that interests you — a person, a historic place, or even a societal event or question — tackle it.

Make your interest the subject of a research project for which you gather information. Go to your local library, interview subjects, visit places. Gather as much information as you can and then create a podcast, film, or book in which you explain your findings and interpretation of the results. 

25. Tackle a Scientific Quandary.  Just because you failed physics in high school doesn't mean you have to give up on it altogether. The best passion projects are those in which you challenge yourself to overcome your previous limitations. Check out this list of fantastic educational channels and consider what scientific avenues you wish you knew more about, then go follow that passion. 

26. Put Together Your Ancestry.  Did you really have fun putting together your family tree in grade school? Consider then making putting together a fully fleshed-out family history. 23andMe and similar sites are great resources for getting you more information about your ancestors and the events that transpired to bring you where you are today. 

27. Learn How to Code and Then Build Something via Code.  Coding is a fantastic skill and one that really encourages problem-solving and creative thinking. But perhaps best of all, once you know how to code, then you can create. You can create your own app, game, or other item as part of a master passion project. 

28. Learn a Secondary Language and Make it a Mission to Volunteer or Visit the Country Where That Language is Spoken.  If you love traveling, then this type of passion project is one that will fulfill personal and societal goals. Learning a new language can be challenging but it offers opportunities to engage with new people in new ways.

If you choose to go for a new language, we recommend making the overall passion project a more physical goal, like going to that language's country of origin and volunteering or traveling in order to make real use out of your education. 

Other Great Passion Projects

29. Join a Birding Group and Go for a Big Year.  Birding is a great hobby that takes one out into nature to see wildlife in its natural environment. But birding is an activity that can be so much more than just a hobby. Check out the film  The Big Year   and, if it piques your interest, consider undergoing your own “big year” as a passion project. 

30. Organize Bicycle Rides in Your Neighborhood.  Riding bikes is one of the greatest activities one can do. You get exercise, efficient means of travel, and easy ability to talk while traveling. If you love riding bikes, then consider taking that passion to the next level by committing yourself to share that passion via group bike rides. 

31. Look for Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint.  If you wish you were more environmentally-friendly, then make reducing your carbon footprint via things like nixing plastic bags as your passion project. 

32. Grab Your Friends, Family, or Just Yourself and Make a Film.  A documentary about your shared hobby or a funny film sketch about that last time you went on vacation. When you make a film, the important thing is thinking about what you loved most about activity and finding the right way to share that with others. 

33. Run for a Local Office.  This one will require you to get pretty involved, but if you're tired of watching how your city or neighborhood operates, then take a more involved stance. Run for public office and help make those changes you so desire.

34. Start a Nonprofit.  Not all changes can be done politically. If you see a need in your community that can be best done via service, volunteer hours, or donations, then consider starting a nonprofit and working towards making those changes happen. 

35. Make Finding a Passion Project, Your Passion Project.  Still not inspired? Then how about creating a podcast series about you trying to find that passion project. Experiment with different hobbies, talk to other people about what makes them the happiest, and investigate your own skills to see what project would best suit you. 

Community Passion Projects

36. Charity Drives . Get involved in charity drives. Collect broken and old toys, wash them, fix where you can, and donate to local child shelters. Repair old clothes for the homeless, or travel with a couple of personal care packages in your car to give to homeless people to help improve their personal hygiene. 

A charity drive doesn’t always have to be big or a lot of money. Every action matters, if you are passionate about it. 

37. Recycling Projects . One of the most worthy passion projects you can participate in is recycling. Help spread awareness about which consumer materials we can recycle and how. Organize collection points, and feel part of a community as you all help each other care for the environment. 

The money raised from taking these materials to recycling plants can be donated to local charities or organizations. 

38. Upcycle Metal Trash for Outdoor Decor at a Local Park. If you have an artistic side, why not collect metal trash such as old cutlery, tin cans, motor parts, and more to create unique art sculptures and benches at a local park? 

You may need to request permission from your local town council to install these, and you’d have to ensure the finished project is safe for people to touch and sit on. What fun to see your creations amuse and entertain park visitors.  

39. Donate Gym Equipment to a Local Park. Many of us have loads of small hand weights, training aids, and stationary cycling bikes at home that we no longer use. Yet, there are many bored youths who frequent parks, who would love to get fit, work out, and not have to pay for an expensive gym membership. 

Work with the local city council to install gym equipment under covered areas at parks for local people to enjoy free of charge. 

40. Teach a Child New Skills. Do you have a special skill? Perhaps you can ride horses, play the violin, or mountain climb? You can share these skills with local children, helping them learn new skills and developing their sense of self. 

Your passion can become a child's or even a young adult’s passion. 

Supportive Passion Projects

41. Hug a Granny . Thousands of elderly citizens live out their last days in care facilities where they never see their children or feel loved. If you have a free day in the week or over a weekend, why not visit your local retirement village or frail care facility to spend some time with all the elderly people? 

Hug them, take them something sweet, or simply spend a few minutes talking with them. 

Listen as they reminisce and let them feel loved. If you can, make this a regular routine so they have something to look forward to. You will feel the blessings of caring for those who most need it. 

42. Fund a Dream . Facebook has a go-fund initiative where people can ask for help to fund some project such as emergency surgery for their child or a honeymoon. Choose a worthy cause and help fund that dream.

Perhaps you know of someone who desperately needs a helping hand and a few dollars. Help them by launching a go-fund project for them. 

43. Mentor a Child . Many children don’t have the benefit of a great role model, and you don’t have to be a celebrity or someone of social stature to be a mentor to a child. Children are growing up in broken homes with parents who divorce and may then remarry with partners who don’t want these children. 

Having a caring adult who will look out for them and listen and give life advice when appropriate is something that could make a world of difference to a child’s world. Perhaps you can step up and create a mentor group to support children in need. 

44. Talk to Me. One of the best signs I saw was a couple of mature gentlemen sitting in a coffee shop with a sign: “Talk to me.” These sprightly pensioners were making themselves available to be sounding boards to people who need a kind ear. 

Senior citizens have a lot of life wisdom to share, but sadly, many younger generation people don’t have the benefit of having their grandparents around to talk to or ask for advice. After having a cuppa coffee with these very wise men, I felt a ton better, and I had some ideas on how to sort stuff out. 

Maybe you can be that willing ear to people in your community?

45. Share Love Notes . Singer Dermot Kennedy’s song Something to Someone features snippets of him leaving wisdom and love notes all over the city. Why not make it your passion to leave notes for others to discover around your neighborhood? 

You could leave words of encouragement in library books, on the train, or tack up at the bus stop. We are so surrounded by negativity, and people will appreciate words of care and kindness placed at random places for them to find and draw cheer from. 

Legacy Passion Projects

46. Create a Family Book. My mom keeps a book of all her poetry, thoughts, and experiences. I guess you could call it a journal, but she also records what she remembers of family members who are now long gone. I never knew my grandmother on mom’s side of the family, so all I do know I have learned from mom’s family book. 

What could you record about your family, and how can you share it in an interesting way? With new media such as TikTok, you could even share videos and photos of loved ones, leaving the links in your family book. Perhaps your family book can take the form of a Facebook page? 

47. Invent Something to Solve a Problem. Are you an inventor? Do you see a problem and think “Man, I know how to solve that”? Take up the passion project idea of solving problems with easy and convenient inventions. From making unique gadgets to neatening up your office or recycling and upcycling projects, to designing a solution or invention from scratch, you can be an inventor in unusual ways.

What you will need is a curious life outlook, a practical mindset, and some ingenuity. It’s fun, and you may end up with a real winner too.  

48. Make a Family Calendar. If you have a large family, why not tackle the project of making a family calendar? You can use family gatherings and pick themes for everyone to dress up accordingly. 

Take some great and unusual family photos, or set up scenarios such as “murder scenes,” “your grandfather being sworn in as president of your family,” and “comic carnivals.” The only limit is your imagination, and your family will each appreciate a copy of the calendar in their Xmas stockings. 

49. Create a Sponsorship. If you don’t have children of your own, why not consider creating a sponsorship programme to help a local child in need achieve their dream of attending college one day or traveling the world to participate in a worthy student’s challenge? 

Your money would go to a worthy cause, and you can make a real and lasting difference to the lives of several students, leaving a legacy you can be proud of. 

50. Learn to Make Music. We aren’t all musicians, and many of us never have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument. Why not invest in some music lessons to first decide what musical instrument would suit your needs, and then go all out and make this instrument your passion. 

Perhaps you can learn to play the violin, drums, cello, electric guitar, or saxophone and find a way to turn your passion into a beautiful noise. 

51. Self-Govern Your Area. This passion project isn’t about joining the local legislation. You’re not going to run for an office or try to make laws. Instead, step up and help out where your local city council may be falling short on their tasks. 

Perhaps you can step up and fill in that pothole that’s been nagging you when you drive every morning, or you could go paint the faded park swings that look so dreary. Start noticing where you can help out in small ways. 

It’s always best to approach your local council and get a letter of permission for any work you’d like to volunteer to do in your community. With roadworks, it may be necessary to get safety equipment and get permission to close off sections of the road. 

Final Thoughts on Passion Project ideas

As you can see, there are so many fantastic activities and events that you can take on as a passion project. The big thing to keep in mind that where hobbies are often small activities, a passion project should have an ultimate goal; a big event or a way in which you share your knowledge with others.

If you have some other great passion project ideas other than the ones we have listed, please share them in the comments!

Finally, if you want to develop a skill-based passion project, then check out this article on 101 skills you can learn in your free time .

55 Ideas For Your Next Passion Project

Sometimes you need an escape from the hectic work week and the non-stop flow of chores and duties.

Finding an escape doesn’t always mean disconnecting, but rather, finding a passion that helps you connect more to yourself and what you enjoy.

Passion projects are just that.

They allow you to explore your creativity by spending free time and energy devoted to what you love, whether it's a charitable cause or a creative outlet. 

5 Reasons You Need a Passion Project

Start a newsletter, write short stories, live waste-free, learn calligraphy, start a community garden, take pottery classes, start a blog, start a youtube channel , engage in letter writing campaigns , review literature or films, become a playwright , refurbish antiques, start a zine , run for local office, try graphic design , model for drawing classes, start a charity, organize elaborate dinner parties, perform at poetry open mics, compete in marathons, learn to cook like a chef, landscape your backyard , learn a new language , learn how to code, organize a salon, start a book club, lead workout classes, put your home on airbnb and travel, learn to weave or knit, host a podcast, host a stand-up comedy night, paint pet portraits, photograph weddings , make short films, produce your own music , discover your ancestry , upcycle thrifted clothes , train for a long-distance hike , film a documentary, start an instagram campaign , get involved in community theatre, teach an art class , get a booth at the farmer’s market, become a yoga/pilates instructor , pick up a new instrument , restore vintage cars , join an improv group , take acting classes, learn interior design , learn woodworking , fill up a sketchbook , read a book a week , start a research project, study a scientific theory , become an amateur zoologist , passion project examples, what is a passion project and how to choose yours.

A passion project is an activity or endeavor you pursue because it inspires you and gives you deep satisfaction, fulfillment, and engagement.

It's something you pursue for the sheer joy of it. The love of what you are doing outweighs any other considerations.

Your passion project may be related to your career, or it may lead to a career. But that isn't the main motivation. Expressing your passion is what drives you.

Finding an outlet for your passions also can help ease stress and mental unrest. However, not everyone knows what they are passionate about , making the process of choosing a project even more difficult.

Here are a few ways to choose a project that works for you:

• Make a list of your interests. When you scroll through Instagram or Facebook, what captivates you? If you follow lots of art accounts, learning to draw would be a great passion project! 
• Ask your friends what they do as a side hustle . Learn about their process and how they found their passion. Follow the same path and see where it leads you. 
• Remember what you loved as a child. If you loved collecting bugs as a kid or making houses for dolls, you may have dropped your hobby as you grew up. Look back at that time and see how you can channel that into a worthwhile project now. 
• Figure out what you have time for. If you have too many ideas, narrow it down to what is feasible in your free time. You may love to travel, but only get a week of paid vacation. 
• It will make your life more fulfilling and meaningful.
• You will find like-minded people to share your passion with.
• You will learn more about yourself and what inspires you.
• You could make money if the project leads to career opportunities .
• You could find your life’s purpose. 

55 Passion Project Ideas

If you need some inspiration and ideas for your own passion project, we have you covered with the following activities to consider.

There are endless possibilities for the content of a newsletter, from sharing recipes to updating friends with the recent developments in your favorite tv show. 

Writing short stories can help boost the confidence of any writer and is the best way to prepare for fiction writing. 

Help the environment and save some money by reducing your waste in your home and on the go. Try to motivate others to do the same.

There’s nothing more satisfying than a beautiful handwritten note. Calligraphy is an art form in itself and a perfect passion project for writers and artists. 

Connect with Mother Earth and your neighbors by forming a cooperative garden in your community.

Come harvest time you’ll reap the rewards of your passion and feel the satisfaction of growing your own food! 

Ceramic pottery is one of the earliest art forms, not to mention its beautiful practicality. Sell dishware or sculptures to make money, or just keep your creations for yourself. 

As the saying goes — if you love something, write about it! Blogs are the perfect way to connect to a larger audience and bond over shared interests. 

Vlog about your life, make reviews or share lifestyle tips. Use your unique personality to inspire, educate, or entertain others.

You don’t have to have lots of money to have an influence on politics. Letter writing can have a huge effect on the issues you care about. 

Are your friends tired of you chatting their ears off about your favorite movies? Start writing about then instead. You may end up connecting with a like-minded audience. 

There are many ways to channel the writing muse. If you have a story to tell, write a play! You could even have a local community theatre produce it. 

If you have a keen aesthetic eye and the right tools, refurbishing old furniture could be your next passion project. 

Zines are small-format self-published magazines where you can collect poetry, collages, essays, and more under a unique vision. 

If you are tired of the way your local government is running things, be the change! Adults of all ages have held office in their local governments and made huge impacts on their communities.

It’s not too late to get a crash course in Adobe Illustrator. Graphic design is a lucrative business for creatives that can be done remotely as a side gig or a full-time job. 

It may seem strange but being a part of someone else’s creative journey can be just as exciting as embarking on your own. Help out artists by modeling for them.

If you have the funds and a cause you care about, starting a charity or nonprofit can be deeply fulfilling. Find out how you can serve your community by researching your area and getting to know its residents. 

Throwing a good dinner party is an art. From planning the menu to decorating, your passion project will give you experience in many creative roles. 

Check online or in your local paper for any open mics in your area. These are great places to test your poetry with an audience and build a following. 

If you love to run, training for a marathon gives you a long-term goal to work towards. And you'll improve your endurance and overall fitness.

YouTube channels like Bon Appetit can help you become an at-home chef as you learn to prepare gourment meals for friends and family.

Landscape design could be your next creative venture. If you don’t have a spacious backyard, volunteer to spruce up a friend’s yard. Take an online landscape design or master gardener course to improve your skills.

The famous Frederico Fellini once said, “A different language is a different vision of life.” Expand your vision of life by learning a new language.

Does technology turn you on? Coding is a fundamental skill for so many jobs, but it also allows you to pursue your own online passion projects. Learning to code improves your logic and problem-solving abilities.

A salon is a gathering of intellectuals to discuss literature, art, and academics. If you are an intellectually minded person, starting a salon might be the perfect venture! 

Gather a few book-loving friends for a monthly get-together. Pick an old favorite book or a new bestseller to discuss at your regular meetings. Take turns hosting and providing drinks and snacks.

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Do you love fitness classes and wish you could teach them? Many local gyms offer training programs for teaching. This can lead to lucrative side hustle or just something fun and fulfilling. 

It’s not always easy to travel when you have to worry about paying your own mortgage. Offer your home for short-term rentals, giving you the funds to travel yourself. The world is your oyster!

Learning to make textiles isn’t as hard as you think. There are great tutorials all over the web. All you need is your hands, some yarn, and a loom. 

There are many different types of podcasts, from storytelling podcasts to finance. Pick a topic you love, purchase the recording equipment, and start podcasting. 

Do your friends think you’re hilarious? Have they ever said, “You should do stand-up!” Channel your great sense of humor into a weekly comedy show at a local bar or cafe. 

You’d be surprised how many people would love a high-quality portrait of their furry friends. Lend your artistic eye to paint a few pups, and you’ve got yourself a potential business! 

Do you love photography and want to get better at it? Wedding photography can be incredibly expensive. If you have friends getting married, offer your services at a low cost as you improve your skills. 

Smartphones have amazing capabilities nowadays, and plenty of high-quality films have been shot on iPhones. If you have a vision for a film, shoot it yourself, and get feedback by sharing it on social media.

If you are musically inclined, become your own producer. Start with simple software like GarageBand to learn the basics. Make an album or just play around! 

Websites like Ancestry.com and 23andMe are excellent resources for learning more about your family’s past. 

You don’t have to be an amazing seamstress to make your own clothes. Transforming an old dress into a new creation can be as easy as a few simple alterations. 

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachian Trail can be life-altering. Check out Cheryl Strayed's memoir Wild for an account of her experience hiking the PCT alone. 

Are there people or events that fascinate you? Do you enjoy interviewing and researching? There are stories all around you. Pick up a camera and start filming your own documentary.

Instagram is a great way to communicate a message. If you care about a particular cause, use social media to get the word out. 

There are many jobs that need to be filled at community theatres, from actors to tech crew to designers. Volunteer your services and enjoy connecting with other creatives.

Do you draw or paint? You could be qualified to teach at a local recreation center, or you could even offer private lessons. 

Booths are available to many different types of vendors, from farmers to local craftspeople. Make or grow something you love and share it with your community. 

Most yoga studios offer teacher training. Check out the websites of local yoga and pilates studios to find classes. 

Have you always wanted to be in a band but don’t play an instrument? It’s never too late to learn. There are many instruments that are surprisingly easy to pick up.

Do you have mechanical abilities and love cars? There's a huge community of vintage car collectors who attend large conventions where you can admire each other’s hard work. 

Improv is a unique form of comedy that is made up entirely on the spot. Exercise your funny bone by joining a local troupe. 

You don’t have to seek a career in Hollywood to take a few acting classes. They can help with public speaking, creativity, and confidence. And they are a great place to meet friends. 

Do you have an eye for style? Does the idea of shopping at IKEA fill you with joy instead of overwhelming dread? Try interior decorating or design. 

Woodworking is steeped in tradition and will connect you to the past while helping you to build something new and useful.

This may just sound like doodling, but filling a sketchbook can be a serious undertaking and an art form itself. The more you sketch, the better you'll become.

If you haven’t picked up a good book since your last high school English class, make it a project to read a new work of fiction a week. You’ll be surprised by the profound effect it will have on your life. 

Your academic pursuits don’t have to end after you graduate. Head to the library and find a topic that interests you. Your research might lead you to write an academic article or even a book.

Did you hate physics in high school but wish you knew more now? It’s never too late to fall back in love with science. There are dozens of educational YouTube channels to inspire you and help you learn.

There’s an entire subreddit dedicated to Zoology. You don’t have to be a child or a scientist to love and study animals. 

Looking for some real-world passion project examples? Take a look at these projects of well-known people you'll recognize. Perhaps their passions will inspire your own.

• Actress Gwenyth Paltrow channeled her love of beauty and wellness into her massively successful lifestyle company, Goop .  
• Michael J. Fox turned his Parkinson's disease challenge into a project to help others suffering with the same disease
• Star of NBC’s The Good Place , Jameela Jamil, started her online community I Weigh to promote body diversity and inclusivity. 
• Actress Halle Berry dedicates her time volunteering at the Jenesse Center , a domestic violence intervention program. 
• Larry Page, one of the co-founders of Google, has spent his time and money on a start-up called Zee.Aero with the aim of developing flying cars.

Have you found your passion project?

Undertaking a passion project can be a transformative experience, uplifting your spirits, and motivating your work.

Too often we get stuck in a rut without exploring the various opportunities available to us. We think we don't have a passion or worry that we might try something that we won't like.

But exploring your passion could be your passion project for now. View the search as a fun adventure and see where it leads you.

Passion projects amplify your childhood curiosity, giving you permission to explore again.

Take some time to jot down a few ideas for your next passion project. Do some research and take the first steps on an idea that interests you. It could lead to something life-changing.

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350+ Passion Project Ideas for the Uninspired but Creative Soul

March 27, 2021

In a recent post, I talked about all the great, life-changing reasons you should have a creative passion project . Since sharing the post, I've even heard back from people who shared their own passion project ideas with me, and it's been nothing short of amazing.

But I also got a few messages from people who asked me this:

I really want to start a passion project! But I don't know what.

While most of us already know what sort of side projects we want to have, I realized that's not the case for everyone.

So whether you're someone who doesn't know what kind of passion project they want to start or even if you're someone with only an inkling of an idea, here's a mix-and-match list of cool passion project ideas just for you.

Ways You Can Start a Passion Project

Here I name some of the most popular ways people have shared or started their own passion projects. You can even call them "platforms" or "mediums," if you prefer.

In the section after this, you'll find an endless supply of topics or niches in case you need some aha! moment to start.

And later, we'll see how these platforms and topics can mesh together into your brand new, super personal, go-start-one-right-now passion project.

Start a Blog.

At the top of the passion project ideas list is starting a blog. I'm willing to bet my own blog that you know someone ( other than me ) that's started a blog of their own. Be it on Blogspot/Blogger, WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, there's a platform that hosts thousands of people's personal blogs, portfolios, and websites. Hint: you don't have to be a writer to be a blogger, so you can start a blog even if you hate writing.

Open a YouTube or Vimeo Channel.

Let's be real: at some point in all our lives, we all wanted to be YouTubers and be part of the cool community that started the YouTube we knew back in 2009. But I also find that many of my video-savvy storytelling friends go on Vimeo, especially to upload their more artistic works, like short films or animations.

Launch a Podcast.

You won't believe how much I actually love podcasts (I actually want to start one just because I can never stop talking about certain things). Having a podcast is almost just like a YouTube channel, except all the focus is on sound. Imagine it as your own radio show.

Put Up an Online or Physical Store.

You can have a passion project that's just all about selling stuff. There are a load of apps and websites that make this really easy to do. For example, I personally used Carousell for a long time to sell preloved and brand new clothes, shoes, and bags I don't use. (I even made about PHP10,000 in a handful of months, no marketing or sales funnels involved!)

YOU MIGHT LIKE:

Step-by-step guide to a successful product pre-sell, start a facebook page or facebook group community. .

Maybe you want to start a Facebook page that curates and creates content every so often (you don't always need to sell a product or service to be an online brand). And Facebook groups make a great community-building platform, and I've joined a handful of groups where I meet a lot of likeminded people.

Hold a Workshop.

Your passion project can even holding a series of workshops about things you're good at. After all, there's always going to be someone who's willing to learn new skills – skills you already know. And these don't always have to be crafty or artsy. I sometimes hold workshops for college student leaders on organization and project management.

Launch an Online Course.

Okay, your workshops honestly don't even need to be in-person anymore because there's technology for that. You can start an online course right from your Google Account (yes, there's Google Classrooms, ICYMI) and companies like Thinkific, Teachable, and Udemy have built websites to host your courses.

I launched my online course, The Productive, Purposeful Creator , to help creators unlock a more productive workflow while consistently growing their audience. It's been one of my favorite passion project ideas to date!

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Never struggle with your content calendar again.

If you struggle staying on top of your content production, read this Ultimate Guide to a Productive Content Creation Workflow.

Passion Project Ideas: List of Topics

Admittedly, there are infinite possibilities for this section, and they all depend on things you're interested in. I list down some of the most popular umbrella topics as well as subcategories in each one. I do try to be as exhaustive as possible, and you're definitely not limited to picking just one of these topics!

After all, these are just passion project ideas to jump off from, and your passion project is yours, so do whatever you like with them.

This is a common topic a lot of people start especially a blog on. Some people even share this topic through a micro-blog on Instagram. What's the city you live in like and how do you live your life inside it? This topic can even give birth to even more passion project ideas.

Restaurant reviews, recipes, or just plain pictures of good food. Food for people, for dogs, for cats – go wild.

Places to go, sights to see... Where to stay, what to look for... Any secret hacks for backpackers or people on a budget?

Health and Fitness.

Workouts, meal plans, diet tips, weight loss tips... If this is your thing, there's a whole bunch of people who'd love to hear what you have to say.

Beauty and Makeup.

Beauty junkies, it's your time to shine. Do you have holy grail product reviews for fellow beauty fans? Love talking about more wallet-friendly products? Or maybe you're more into organic or natural alternatives?

Fashion and Hair.

Your thing might be all your different OOTDs. Or you could be more of the guilt-free fashionista that has a message about sustainable fashion. You could be super good at doing different hairstyles and want to share how-tos for the perpetually lost (like me).

Room/Home Improvements.

My sister and I had this very short phase where we watched nothing but home improvement shows on TV. You might have ideas on how to make a room super pretty, or super minimalist, or even just super different and personal.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY).

Lots of people will look for DIY alternatives to most everyday stuff because they're either more affordable than buying from a store or because they're into doing things with their hands. Maybe you know DIY tips and tricks for clothes, accessories, or room/home decor ? There's no shortage for the kind of do-it-yourself tutorials you can share.

How to Start a Blogging Side Hustle

While I'm not a parent (yet), I've seen – and met! – a ton of mommy bloggers. Parenting may seem like an overused niche, but really, there's always going to be someone who needs your cannot-live-without parenting hacks.

Self-Care or Personal Development.

One of my favorite movements that have come to light recently is the mental health awareness movement. If you're a advocate for self-care or bettering oneself, by all means, make a passion project all about it.

I don't think this topic is only reserved for career coaches. You might have tips and tricks for people about to graduate from college. Or you might know how to help people get more from their work. Or maybe you're even all about work-life balance.

Money management, savings goals, budgeting – there are people out there that need your sage wisdom.

Case Study: How I Made PHP150,000 in 10 Months Just From Side Hustles

Side hustle or startups..

This deserves to be its own niche because of literally how many startups we've seen emerging in just a few years. You might know a lot about starting a small business, or you might have freelance career that you want to help other people reach too.

From products to reviews to how-tos – even to answering all these different tech-related questions (I can't count the number of times I Googled issues I had with my computer) – there's a whole bunch of things you can dive right into. I mean, there are thousands of gadgets and gizmos all over the planet, and thousands more ways to do a tech-related passion project.

Getting Your Life Together? Here are 13 Apps for That.

My older brother, my boyfriend, and a lot of their friends are all gamers, so honestly, I don't see why you can't have a passion project related to gaming. One of my friends even has a YouTube channel with walkthroughs on some popular video games that he's monetized in the past.

For most people, a creative passion project might automatically mean art-related projects. And because most of these things are pretty straightforward, I'll be jotting down a quick list of different mediums just for your inspiration.

"Do I already have to be an experienced artist for these?" you ask. My answer: not at all! You can always start an art-related passion project without any experience. After all, you do need to start somewhere.

Illustrations.

Lettering and Calligraphy.

Photography.

Videography.

Creative Writing.

How to Build an Audience from Scratch: Ultimate Guide for Creatives

Performing arts.

Spoken Word Poetry.

You might have a knack or interest in crochet, knitting, or quilting. And those would make awesome (and pretty!) passion projects in themselves.

Papercraft.

Think origami or paper mâché!

As someone who loves DIY, I can tell you there's no shortage here. There are DIY bags, plushies, leather goods, soap, candles – too, too many to name!

Scrapbooking. 

Start recording your travels or family life or even lookbooks!

Creative Journaling. 

Some people would refer to it as bullet journaling, but I find that creative journaling is a more appropriate term for having those gorgeous hand-drawn layouts and lists inspired by the original bullet journal.

Jewelry-Making. 

And this doesn't only mean the plastic-bead jewelry we used to make when we were kids, either.

Perfect for anyone who's not afraid of getting their hands a little dirty. Handmade pottery is also super pretty to have in your home!

Okay, maybe I got the idea for this off a girl scouts activity, but carving stuff out of wood seems pretty cool if you're into that kind of thing.

Model Building.

My guy friends are obsessed with model kits from Japan. But this isn't only about gunpla – there are also model kits for ships, buildings, and lots more.

Miscellaneous

Social good/advocacy. .

You might stand for something real important to you, like living like a minimalist or being kind to the environment. If so, there's all the more reason to have a passion project around it – so you can share in the advocacy.

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Putting Them Together

So you've got all these ways to start passion projects and you've got all these topics or niches for passion project ideas. Now the only thing you have to do now is to put them together – and voila! You've got yourself a passion project.

Here are a few example of ways you can mix and match your options, plus how these options can be narrowed down into something more bite-sized (meaning, less overwhelming!).

Write an eBook + DIY room decorations that busy people can do in an hour or less. You can even publish the book and make money on the side.

Start a Blog + Tech: affordable alternatives for everyday electronics for people on a budget. You help other people save on gadgets and appliances but still letting them a bang for their buck. You might even partner with actual brands in the future.

Hold a Workshop + Photography for aspiring food bloggers. You could teach people how to take better photos for their blogs and articles if they want to get more clicks and views on their site.

Open a YouTube Channel + Advocacy on how to live with less waste even if you live in the big city. You'll help people be more responsible by realizing there are simple everyday ways anyone can adopt to reduce plastic consumption or paper and food waste.

And these are only a handful of examples among all the countless possibilities! If you don't have a passion project already, I challenge you to use this mix-and-match list to start your own.

Important: Start a passion project that you want to do, not what think others would find cool.

If it doesn't make you more passionate, you won't commit.

How can I use this guide to come up with my passion project?

To make the mix-and-match process easier for you, I came up with a worksheet version of this passion project ideas guide! You can get it here.

Once you've downloaded it, be sure to print it out and really devote 5 minutes – just five minutes! – of your time to accomplishing it, so that you can find the perfect passion project to give you more meaning and purpose every day.

Ready to go big on your passion project?

Grab your copy of The Goal-Getter Playbook today, so you ideate, plan, and launch that passion project you've always wanted.

Learn more about The Goal-Getter Playbook and how how to get your own copy here.

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ABOUT Mica Gonzalez

Mica (hey, that's me!) provides resources for content creators and creative entrepreneurs to design their days with more purpose, impact, and creativity.

Her workshops, courses, and programs are all designed with her commitment to slow growth, anti-hustle culture, and success on our own terms.

When she's not referring to herself in the third person on her blog, she's sharing cool things she's into and up to on Instagram @micaangelicagonz .

The Goal-Getter Playbook was designed with YOUR creative goals in mind.

Full of guided prompts to help you clarify, define, and track your goals – plus undated pages that are reusable year after year – you won't need another planner ever again.

101 Passion Project Ideas

Can’t pick your passion sometimes you need a little inspiration.

Get inspired with 101 passion project examples and pick a project that lights you up. There’s a range of ideas…from the “I could totally do that” to the “no freaking way!” Have fun with it. Don’t take it too seriously, and remember you can always choose again!

Are you feeling...

• frustrated and uninspired
• bored & stuck in a rut
• you’ve got potential for more
• ready to try something new, but don’t know where to start?

it’s time to dream bigger.

What if you ....

• start working on something that excites you?
• allow yourself to dream up something new?
• discover an idea and think “that could be MY thing!”

Maybe you could:

Start a podcast flip a house write fan fiction create a web series bottle hot sauce, get 101 passion project ideas, it’s time to create something that matters to you..

Passion projects for high schoolers are a great way to learn new skills, gain confidence, and delve more fully into your interests. They are also a great way to showcase your strengths and extracurricular interests during the college admissions process. 

As evidenced by the class of 2026 college acceptance rates , college admissions standards are becoming increasingly competitive. Therefore, if you want to attend a highly-selective college, you’ll need to find a way to stand out from your peers. A passion project is a great way to accomplish this. In fact, according to a study conducted by Acceptitas , more than 75% of current Harvard students included a passion project as a part of their college applications. 

That said, what are passion projects, and how do you design one? In this article, we will discuss the definition of a passion project, how to start a passion project, as well as the advantages of completing one in high school. We will also provide a comprehensive passion project ideas list to help you start brainstorming for your own project.

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What are the benefits of completing a Passion Project?

First off, what is a passion project for students? A passion project is a project that high school students design and complete outside of school. These projects should be fairly ambitious and often require extensive planning and self-reflection. Ultimately a passion project allows you to challenge yourself, develop new skills, and gain confidence; they can even help give you a sense of purpose and community. Since passion projects are not a high school requirement, completing one shows your passion, dedication, and ability to take initiative. Ultimately, these projects can help distinguish you from your peers when applying for jobs, internships , and college. 

Designing a Passion Project: steps to help you get started

Identify your passion.

You should feel excited to work on your passion project. All projects have challenges and we can’t promise that you’ll enjoy yourself every step of the way, but it’s important to complete this project because you genuinely care about it and not because you feel obligated to. That said, the first step to completing a meaningful passion project is to find out what you’re passionate about!

Come up with a mission statement to help guide your project

Your project should be organized and purposeful. One of the best ways to help keep you on track is to come up with a mission statement. That way, you can periodically refer to your goals, values, and objectives as outlined in your mission statement. 

Set goals for yourself

Set manageable goals for yourself. Not only will this help you stay organized, but it will also inspire you to maintain your momentum. 

Identify what resources you will need

Once you’ve come up with your projects, identify what resources you will need to be successful. For instance, if you want to start a podcast, you will need to decide what kind of recording equipment is best suited to your needs. 

Reflect on what you need to learn for your project to be successful

Passion projects are a great way to learn new skills. Take time to identify what you will need to learn to be successful. You may want to consider finding a mentor or setting up informational interviews with community members who can help you. For instance, if you want to start a community garden, you may want to reach out to local farmers for advice. 

Questions to ask yourself as you begin

The first step to knowing how to find a passion project that’s meaningful to you is to reflect on your interests, talents, and values. In other words, self-reflection is key in designing your passion project. 

Let’s take a look at some questions you should ask yourself during this process. As you review these questions, write down your answers so you can reflect on them more fully in the weeks to come. 

• What extracurricular activities do you enjoy?
• Which high school classes have been your favorites?
• What types of careers might you be interested in pursuing in the future?
• Have you had any meaningful volunteer experiences ?
• Are there any social, political, or environmental issues that you feel passionately about?
• If you could change anything about the world, what would it be?
• What are some of your passions and interests?
• What are some of your natural talents and strengths?
• What is something you would like to improve on?
• What is something you’d be interested in learning more about?
• Do you enjoy leadership positions ?
• Do you prefer to work alone or within a group?
• Do you enjoy fundraising and organizing events?
• If you could give back to your community in some way, what would that look like?

Now that you’ve reflected on your interests, talents, and values, it’s time to start finding ways to combine them. The most meaningful, impactful passion projects will likely combine your answers. To get started, review your answers and identify repeating details or themes. 

For example, you may find that many of your answers address your love of storytelling and helping others reach their goals. If this is the case, you may want to find ways to include a teaching element in your passion project. 

Passion Project ideas

Now that you’ve started to reflect more on your interests, let’s take a look at some passion project examples. Use these examples to help you start brainstorming about possible topics. These passion project examples may even help you decide how to present your passion project when the time comes. 

• Start a small business
• Develop an app
• Organize a fundraising event
• Write and direct a short play
• Write a novel or collection of short stories
• Start a community publication, such as a school newspaper or literary magazine
• Start a blog
• Start a band and write an album
• Learn to build an instrument
• Design your own video game
• Paint a community mural
• Start a mobile library
• Start a community garden
• Create a bioblitz
• Design and conduct a scientific research project
• Start an apiary
• Hike the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, or the John Muir Trail
• Become a certified yoga or fitness instructor
• Build your own tiny house
• Start a food truck
• Build a boat
• Train a service dog
• Join a political campaign

Key takeaways and moving forward

Passion projects for students can play a key role in holistic college admissions . This is because passion projects demonstrate a student’s ability to think critically and creatively while in pursuit of their extracurricular interests. Top colleges want to admit passionate, capable students eager to make a difference and enrich their communities. This is especially true if you have Ivy League aspirations . 

Including a successful passion project as part of your college application can help demonstrate that you are capable of meeting and exceeding these standards. As you begin planning your passion project, keep in mind that the best time to start a passion project is during summer vacation. Starting a passion project is one of the most productive ways to use your summers in high school . 

If you are interested in pursuing a passion project but don’t know where to start, reach out to learn how we can help you reach your high school and college goals . 

• January 12, 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Passion Projects for High Schoolers

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• Explorer System

65 STEM Themed Personal Passion Project Ideas

• May 29, 2024
• Posted by: Ashley Pereira
• Category: career guidance STEM STEM education

A Personal Passion Project (PPP) can be anything – create a video game, organize an event, invent something using engineering, it’s your call! The goal of the PPP is to take an intense, deep dive on something you are interested in to build your talents and change the world.

If you love science, technology, engineering, and math here are 65 ideas to get your creative juices flowing and come up with an awesome Personal Passion Project!

• create something with code
• make your own video game
• start a youtube channel
• interview an innovator
• write and publish a blog post
• make a website
• invent something that solves a problem you care about
• choreograph a dance to explain a hard science concept
• host a hackathon
• start a nonprofit
• start a business
• learn to fly a drone
• launch a podcast
• create an Etsy store
• start a Facebook group or online community
• hold a workshop
• start a budget
• create an online class
• write a book
• start a monthly magazine or newsletter
• learn the STEM behind your favorite amusement park
• make a map of all the STEM places in your community
• start a gallery or online portfolio
• join and contribute to a citizen science project
• create a new product
• plan and hold a fundraiser for a cause you care about
• create a new food or recipe
• design a futuristic city
• find and do a job shadow
• find and do an internship
• create a product review
• invent a new fashion design
• invent something that improves sustainability
• script a play or skit
• learn how to make origami
• get on the local news or in the newspaper
• learn a skill specific to your desired career field (ex: how to take good pictures, how to weld, how to change the oil in a car, etc.)
• make a model
• make a collage
• learn a new computer programming language
• create a recycled work of art
• make a garden
• plan and host an event
• create a virtual tour
• design a XXX of the future (chair of the future, house of the future, pet of the future, etc.!)
• write a letter to the universe
• design and do your own scientific experiment
• take a computer (or engine, toaster, etc.) apart and try to rebuild it
• solve a UN Goal for Sustainable Development
• find a mentor
• compose music
• teach your grandparent about a STEM topic
• invent a STEM themed board game
• learn a new language
• create blueprints
• start a club for your STEM interest (animals, space, computers, etc.)
• make an illustrated bookmark collection on a STEM topic
• create a calendar to highlight STEM specific events
• make a diorama
• make a mural
• find a pen pal
• make a poem, rap, or song
• create, administer, and analyze a survey
• make a presentation or video

How to Do a Personal Passion Project

As you might imagine, step 1 is to pick something from this list, or come up with your own idea!

Step 2 is to define everything you will need to do your personal passion project. Make a list of all the materials, resources, people, and time you will need to complete your PPP. It is also a good idea to research other personal passion projects and related ideas to learn as much as you can from others before you get started. In Career In STEM Bootcamp a career coach will guide you step by step towards creating your PPP!

Step 3 is to do it!

Step 4 is to share your Personal Passion Project. [All Explorer students can share their PPP in our exclusive Showcase for a chance to win a $500 scholarship!]

Step 5 is to reflect. What went well? What did you learn? What skills did you build? Be sure to add your PPP and everything you learned from it to your resume!

$500 Summer STEM Scholarship Contest HAPPENING NOW! FREE for all Explorer students to enter! CLICK HERE to learn more

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Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Create Passion Projects to Help You Stand Out

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Alexandra Johnson in a CollegeVine Livestream. You can watch the full Livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

What is a passion project, how to get started on a passion project, how to record proof of a passion project.

• How Can a Passion Project Affect Admissions

You may have started a school organization or committee as a result of an existing academic or extracurricular interest. You could have created an initiative within your community in response to a significant event. You might have even started working on a personal project to sharpen your skills in a certain field. These are only a handful of examples, but a passion project can be anything that you have invested time and resources into outside of school that highlights a certain interest. 

A passion project is an idea or concept that you create to express yourself. While it doesn’t have to be executed with the intention of being beneficial to the community around you, that is an added bonus! 

It’s often understood that these passion projects and acts of service to the community can not only help improve you as a leader within a community but also help strengthen your college applications! 

1. Keep an Open Mind

There are numerous ways to go about creating a passion project. A passion project can take the form of anything, such as a website, small business, or non-profit organization. It could also be the creation of a club or community dedicated to a specific mission. 

With your passion project, you are mainly trying to showcase a specific interest and hone your leadership and organizational skills in the process. The scale of the project can be as big or as small as you want – the main focus should be fulfilling your personal passions. Anyone can create a passion project, so don’t limit yourself!

2. Brainstorm Ideas

When brainstorming ideas for a passion project, think about your strengths and weaknesses as well as your interests. Possibly start by considering some of your strongest subjects in school, or, if you are up for the challenge, the ones that you struggle with the most. You could also start the brainstorming process by simply going online and looking up examples of personal projects or extracurricular activities that interest you.

Once you have a list of possible areas you want to explore, try to think of a medium to express these interests. Perhaps you can start a social media account on Instagram or YouTube to showcase your project and build a community. Perhaps you could create a website that helps people connect over your common interest in a topic. As we mentioned in the first point, make sure to keep an open mind at this stage.

3. Make Your Idea Come to Life

Now that you have decided on an interest and a medium to express it through, it’s time to get creative. Think about what you need to do to make your project come to life and determine an action plan moving forward.

To get your passion project up and running, it might help to find members around your community who are like-minded. Making the project a group effort will make it more manageable and hold you accountable throughout the process.

There are numerous ways of recording proof of your passion projects to make it presentable in your college application. For example, if you created paintings and sold them as a fundraiser for a social cause, transcripts of sales, pictures of the paintings, and proof of donating the money can be added into your applications.

More importantly, remember these passion projects shouldn’t be done with the sole purpose of creating a better application. This could reflect as shallow and distasteful to a counselor, so make sure to try something with the intention of creating something meaningful.

How Can a Passion Project Affect Admissions? 

Admissions officers are often looking at more than just your academic qualifications when considering your acceptance into a college or university. They also want to see a holistic student, meaning that participation in numerous forms of extracurricular activities is important! 

A passion project is just one of many ways to exhibit the traits of a holistic applicant, and it is often more impressive to admissions officers since it showcases creativity, leadership ability, and perseverance. If you have any special or unique interests, a personal project could be a great way to highlight these traits in your application.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

75 Exciting Passion Project Ideas To Spark Your Creativity.

Written by ( author bio ):

A passion project is something you do because you love it, you’re strongly drawn to it, and it brings meaning to your life.

Passion projects allow you to explore things that are outside of your “normal” life. They are a fantastic way to:

Passion projects are important because they can help you grow as a person as well as bring meaning and purpose to your life.

They can be undertaken by anyone, from students to professionals, and can range from short-term to long-term projects.

However, if you have no clue where to start, you’ve come to the perfect place because I have 75 passion project ideas to help you get started.

I even divided them up into different categories to make it easy and simple for you to read through them and choose the ones that resonate with you.

Short-term Passion Projects

They can also: 

1. Eat healthier in 14 days

If you want to eat healthier, this passion project can help you reach your goal in just 2 weeks.

I became passionate about eating healthier as a kid and one of the simplest ways I learned to do it was through drinking green smoothies.

Green smoothies are a mix of green vegetables and other healthy ingredients that can help you kickstart a healthy eating habit.  If this is your passion you can also start healthy eating by researching the following:

Then make it a part of your lifestyle, after you’ve achieved your goal, through meal planning and tracking your progress.

2. Express Gratitude for 30 days

Gratitude is a subtle and powerful tool that can help increase your sense of abundance and joy through daily practice.

I tried gratitude journaling for 30 days and it changed my life forever.  At the beginning of my little experiment, I journaled about the same thing and then decided to focus on just one thing to be grateful for each day.

At the end of my 30-day project, I remember feeling more joyful and abundant.  I felt more expansive, happier, and calmer.

Or you can express gratitude each day by saying thanks to someone or expressing gratitude for the things and people in your life.

3. Memorize a Speech

If you’re passionate about public speaking, then memorizing and presenting a speech is the way to go.

A project like this can involve researching interesting topics, exploring effective public speaking techniques, writing a speech, and practicing delivery.

There are many resources available such as International Toastmasters, public speaking workshops, improv classes, and acting lessons.

4. Redecorate a room

If you love designing spaces but don’t have a massive budget or time, redecorating a room is a great short-term passion project to play with.

Redecorating a room can be a fun and creative project that can transform a space and you don’t have to buy anything new.

You can try feng shui, the art of creating harmony and flow in your space, by simply moving your furniture around.

Resources such as interior design blogs, window shopping at home decor stores, perusing the home design section at your local library, or Pinterest can be helpful in achieving this goal.

5. Learn How to do a Tea Ceremony

Learning how to do a tea ceremony can be a wonderful passion project to take on and can be a relaxing & meditative experience.

One popular type of tea ceremony is the Japanese tea ceremony, of which there are several types , and can involve hours of preparation, serving, and drinking.

You can also find resources on the internet, at your local library, or by attending events & workshops.

6. Learn to Bake a Cake

Learning to bake a cake is a great short-term passion project that can be fun, satisfying, and delicious.

Although baking cakes is not one of my passions, I do make a carrot cake once or twice a year and it’s a tasty reward in and of itself because I get into the zone.

Baking a cake can involve researching recipes, reading blogs on baking cakes, practicing baking techniques, and sharing the finished product with your loved ones.

Decluttering your space within a week can be a satisfying experience that can be completed with a little time and effort.

There are so many ways to declutter but I will discuss 2 ways that I learned and you probably heard of before.

One decluttering technique that I learned was by reading a book by Marie Kondo, “The life-changing magic of tidying up.”

The author, who is a guru of decluttering, developed a technique of organizing your space and things, called the KonMari method.

Long-term Passion Projects

Unlike short-term passion projects, long-term passion projects can take months or even years to complete. They require focus and dedication to something you truly love.

Long-term passion projects are an excellent way to explore a creative passion project, build a career, and find meaning in your life.

8. Minimalism

Minimalism is a lifestyle that focuses on living with less. It’s a way of living that is not for the faint of heart.

Over time I learned that this lifestyle limited me because I focused on how little stuff I was able to consume and accumulate versus how well I lived my life.

9. Home Restoration

We took on little projects here and there and it was a challenging but rewarding experience.

With a little creativity and hard work, you can transform your living space into a beautiful and functional sanctuary.

10. Car Restoration

If you’re a car lover, this is a great project for you because it involves a love of classic cars and a passion for mechanics.

11. Musical Instrument

Learning to play a musical instrument is a long-term passion project that can provide a lifetime of joy and fulfillment.

I took piano lessons for 4 years as a freshman in high school and loved every minute of it.  I still play on my piano to this day.

This project can help you develop your skills and express your creativity whether you choose to play the guitar, piano, or any other instrument.

12. Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a practice that involves being present in the moment and cultivating compassion for yourself and others.

Mindfulness is a great long-term project that can teach you to be more in tune with yourself if you lack self-awareness .

13. Write a Book

Writing a book is a long-term passion project that can be both rewarding and challenging.

I’ve never written a book myself but it’s a long-term goal I would like to achieve someday. 

Whether you choose to write a novel, memoir, or self-help book, this project can help you express yourself and share your ideas with the world.

14. Start a Non-profit

Starting a non-profit can be a long-term passion project that can make a positive impact on your community and the world.

15. Start a Business

Starting a business is another long-term passion project that is not for the faint of heart because it’s risky.

It can involve identifying a need in the market and developing a product or service that meets that need.

You can create a successful business that reflects your values and passions with the right planning and resources.

16. Travel Across the Country

With a little planning, you can create memorable and fulfilling travel experiences by

17. Global Backpacking

I’ve traveled to different countries with my family (though have yet to try global backpacking) and my favorite part is immersing myself in different cultures.

Traditional Passion Projects

18. become an educator.

Being an educator is a great way to give back to the community and impart knowledge to others.

19. Internship

The best type of internship is one that is related to your interests and career goals.

20. Mentorship

Look for mentors who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with you or mentees who are willing to learn from your expertise.

21. Horticulture

I outgrew this passion but I still love to garden.

22. Pursue a Higher Degree

You can pursue a higher degree in something that you’re passionate about.  It does require some time, focus, and spending lots of money.

23. Get Published in a Journal

Getting published in a journal is a great way to showcase your writing skills and gain recognition for your work.

24. Write Poetry

If you’re passionate about poetry, you can get started by researching on the web, going to your local library, attending poetry workshops, or establishing your own poetry group.

25. Creative Activities

26. wellness activities.

I have to admit that I am a bit of a wellness junkie and needless to say it is my passion in life.

I’ve loved health and wellness since I first patched up my little sister with a band-aid on her knee when I was about 7 years old.

27. Physical Fitness Activities

Out-of-the-box passion projects.

Passion projects that are “out of the box” are non-traditional.  We’ll explore some unique ideas that are unconventional, inspiring, and motivating.

28. Pickleball

Pickleball is a sport that is quickly growing in popularity and combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong.

Starting a pickleball club or league in your community can be a great way to meet new people, get some exercise, and share your passion for the sport.

29. Kintsugi

Learning kintsugi can be a meditative and rewarding experience, and can also help you develop a sense of gratitude for the imperfections in life.

30. Airplane Flying

Whether you’re interested in flying for fun or as a career, pursuing your passion for aviation can be a life-changing experience.

31. Honey Making

Starting a beehive in your backyard and harvesting your own honey can be a fascinating and rewarding experience.

It can also help you develop a greater appreciation for the importance of bees in our ecosystem.

32. YouTube Channel

Creating and uploading videos can also help you develop skills in video editing, social media marketing, and public speaking.

33. Painting Rocks

Man has been painting on rocks for thousands of years and I admit that this would not have been my first pick as a passion project.

It’s a fun and creative way to spread joy and positivity or relax and unwind after a long day.

Passion Projects for Students

Passion projects are a great way for students to explore their interests outside of the classroom, develop new skills, and find a sense of purpose.

Elementary School Passion Projects

34. join the science club.

This will allow them to connect with like-minded kids, learn about new scientific discoveries, and participate in experiments and projects.

35. Create a Reading List

They can choose topics they are interested in, new ideas that challenge them, or simply material that entertains them.

This project can help them develop their critical thinking skills as well as broaden their knowledge.

36. Make a Report on National Monument

37. learn how to use the scratch coding program.

For students who are interested in technology, learning how to use the Scratch coding program can be a great passion project.

Scratch is a visual programming language that allows students to create interactive stories, games, and animations.

38. Make a Window Garden Box

Students who are interested in gardening can create a window garden box. This project can help them learn all about plants, soil, and gardening techniques.

39. Get a Butterfly Kit

They can observe the life cycle of a butterfly from every stage and learn about metamorphosis.

40. Start Scrapbooking

They can collect photos, ticket stubs, and other memorabilia and create a unique scrapbook that reflects their personality.

41. Learn How to Grow Crystals

They continued to grow after she brought them home and I was fascinated by their growth pattern and colors.

Students who are interested in chemistry can learn how to grow crystals. This project can help them learn about the properties of different substances and the process of crystallization.

42. Invent Something

They can identify a problem and come up with a creative solution. This project can help them develop their problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial spirit.

Middle School Passion Projects

43. learn computer coding.

Introducing coding to middle schoolers is a great idea as it helps them develop problem-solving skills and enhance creativity.

By working on coding projects, students will not only gain technical skills but also have fun and showcase their unique creations.

44. Play Flag Football

Flag football can be a platform for students to compete, have fun, and develop good sportsmanship.

45. Join The Art Club

46. start your own club.

Starting a club can help students develop leadership skills and create a community around their interests.

47. Help Set Up A New After School Activity

48. learn how to play an instrument.

Along with mastering a new skill, playing an instrument can improve cognitive abilities, promote camaraderie, and boost self-confidence.

49. Create Jewelry

50. find out your genealogy.

This mind-enriching project can spark a lifelong interest and help students develop research skills.

High School Passion Projects

51. paint a mural, 52. volunteer at a shelter, 53. learn how to hike.

Students interested in nature and outdoor activities can take up hiking as a passion project.

54. Tutor Someone

55. learn computer coding.

This can help them develop problem-solving skills and open up potential career paths for their future.

56. Help Clean Up A Beach

57. learn how to fish, 58. intern for a company.

High school students who want to explore possible career paths can consider interning at a local company in their field of interest.

59. Organize a Local Park Cleanup

60. learn how to create visual content.

They can learn how to capture and edit stunning visuals for personal or professional use, enhancing their digital media skills.

61. Volunteer at a Hospital

62. run for student body.

Taking on a leadership role in their high school can be an impactful passion project for students.

63. Organize a Church Activity

Passion projects for college students, 64. start a greek chapter.

Students can consult with their college’s Greek life office to gain an understanding of the necessary steps.

65. Become A Professor’s Assistant

66. create an interest group, 67. start a tutoring service.

Starting a tutoring service is an excellent way for students to share their knowledge and support other students in need of academic assistance.

68. Become The School Paper Editor

69. mentor high school students.

This can also provide college students with valuable teaching, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

70. Join A National Organization

71. study abroad, 72. become a resident adviser.

Becoming a resident adviser (aka RA) can be a rewarding way for students to gain leadership experience while helping create a positive environment for fellow residents.

73. Go On A Summer Road Trip

74. become a research assistant.

Working with a professor or instructor on a specific research project allows students to deepen their understanding of the subject matter, develop research skills, and potentially contribute to scholarly publications.

75. Learn another language.

Whether you’re a student or someone whose been in the workforce for decades, you have many ideas at your disposal for passion projects.

Final Thoughts On Finding Your Passion

Remember, finding your passion is a journey, not a destination. You might not find what you love right away and that’s okay.

More Ways To Find Your Passion

Let me know if you have a passion project idea to add to this list!

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Follow Your Curiosity: 15 Passion Project Ideas to Pursue

Do you have a hobby or interest you want to dive deeper into? A cause you care deeply about that you wish you could devote more time to? An out-there idea you've been tossing around in your head for years?

It may be time to turn that passion into a passion project.

Passion projects are unpaid side pursuits we take on simply for the joy and challenge of learning something new. Unlike obligations or assignments, passion projects let us freely explore our interests, get creative , and experiment out of curiosity.

In today's busy world, brushing passion projects aside as distractions can be tempting. But permitting ourselves to follow our bliss occasionally can be incredibly rewarding. Passion projects help us stay inspired, well-rounded, and in touch with the parts of ourselves that often get overlooked in daily life.

Of course, settling on a passion project idea that genuinely excites you can be tricky. To spark inspiration, here are 15 passion project ideas to consider pursuing right now:

Table of Contents

1 – Start a Blog or Podcast

Do you have unique stories or insights to share on a favourite subject? Launching a blog or podcast allows you to dive deep into a topic you love while building a following at the same time.

Platforms like WordPress and Squarespace make starting a blog easy and affordable. Podcast recording tools like Anchor now provide free hosting and distribution. If you have something to say, grab a microphone or open your laptop and start creating. Your distinctive viewpoint could find an eager audience.

2 – Learn to Code

Coding skills are invaluable for opening new professional opportunities in today's digital world. But you don't have to enrol in a degree program to start picking up these sought-after abilities.

You can get hands-on coding practice from home through interactive, self-paced online courses and coding boot camps from sites like Codecademy, Udemy , and General Assembly. Many courses are also available for free.

Choose your coding passion project based on your learning style and goals. Options range from self-guided tutorials for beginners to intensive virtual classes focused on specific languages like Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, C++, and more.

3 – Launch an Etsy Shop

Do you have a creative hobby like jewellery-making, painting, or furniture refinishing that you've been perfecting for years? Turn your artistic talents into a profitable Etsy shop.

This popular online marketplace allows makers to set up a digital storefront to sell their handmade wares efficiently. As an Etsy seller , you handle production while they provide the platform, payment processing, marketing tools, and global customer base.

Starting an Etsy shop lets you share your unique crafts with the world – and earn some extra income doing what you love.

4 – Train for a Marathon

Marathon running takes serious dedication. But committing to complete a 26.2-mile race can be a gratifying goal.

First-time marathoners typically spend 4-6 months in training. Following a beginner running plan that gives you plenty of time to increase mileage slowly. You'll push your physical limits and gain tremendous personal accomplishment.

Most marathons require registration fees and lotteries, so apply for a race at least six months out. Then, start prepping for those long runs. Just taking the first steps can be a passion project itself.

5 – Launch a Side Hustle

Turning a hobby into income can be immensely fulfilling. You can launch a profitable side business while working full-time with some business planning, creativity, and hustle.

Niche sites like Etsy and TikTok make finding an audience for specialised products and services easier. You can even use platforms like Teachable and Thinkific to sell online courses on topics you know well.

Explore your skills and interests to uncover viable business ideas . A few possibilities: handmade goods, freelance consulting, food trucks, houseplant care, social media marketing , photography, resume writing, and more. Starting small as a solo venture keeps things simple initially.

6 – Study a New Language

Few skills open up the world, like learning a new language. Choose any tongue that interests you – Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian – and commit to gaining fluency through a passion project.

Language learning apps like Duolingo make studying vocabulary and grammar engaging through bite-sized lessons and progress tracking. Local community college courses provide structured practice. And services like Italki connect you with native-speaker tutors for conversational practice.

Studying a bit daily over several months can take you far. And holding real conversations in another language is a fantastic achievement.

7 – Grow Your Own Food

For the ultimate farm-to-table experience, plant your own vegetable garden or mini orchard. Learning to grow produce from seed takes patience and attentive care, but the payoff of harvesting your fresh fruits and veggies is unbeatable.

Start with beginner-friendly crops like tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cucumbers, beans, peas, radishes, and herbs. Research ideal planting times and care for your region. Invest in raised beds or containers if needed.

Over time, your gardening knowledge will flourish. Getting your hands dirty while satisfying your green thumb can be thoroughly rewarding.

8 – Launch an Advocacy Campaign

Do you have a cause close to your heart you want to raise awareness for? Turn your passion into a change-making advocacy campaign.

Platforms like Change.org and Causes provide free tools for launching online petitions and fundraising for nonprofits. You can also harness the power of social media to share stories, information, and calls to action around your cause.

Start locally by rallying support within your community before expanding your reach. Every campaign starts with individual advocates who decide to take a stand. Make your voice heard.

9 – Pick Up Photography

Photography combines creativity with technical skill in a visually engaging medium. With a decent camera and some practice, you can capture stunning images that tell stories, evoke emotion, and reveal new ways of seeing everyday life.

Start by learning your equipment and photography fundamentals like composition, lighting, and editing. Look for interesting subjects in your surroundings to photograph from sunrise to sunset. Build a portfolio site or social media feed to share your work.

Making photography a passion project will give you an artistic outlet and hone your eye for beauty and visual narratives .

10 – Research Your Family Tree

Piecing together your ancestry through generations of relatives can be tremendously rewarding. And as genealogy databases have expanded online, tracing your family tree has never been easier.

Sites like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch provide billions of digitised historical records to aid your search. Build tree diagrams of direct relatives while uncovering the stories and identities of your forebears.

Reaching out to older family members to gather heirlooms, photos, and oral histories can add colour to your discoveries. Learning about those who came before you may uncover surprises and forge new connections across time.

11 – Train Your Dog

Bringing home a new puppy or rescue dog starts a long, loving partnership. But a well-trained canine companion requires dedicated work.

Training sessions strengthen the bond between pet and owner from basic obedience to advanced skills. Look for local puppy kindergarten and trick classes. Many can be done virtually, providing structured goals and socialisation. Practice 10-15 minutes daily.

With positive reinforcement and patience, your furry friend can learn anything from “sit” and “stay” to weaving between your legs as you walk. A passion for dog training yields an attentive, mannered pet.

12 – Launch a Book Club

There's nothing quite like the experience of reading and discussing a compelling book with friends. Start an informal book club if you've got a small group eager to dive into new reads together.

Take turns choosing titles and schedule monthly meetups in person or virtually to dissect your latest pick over food and drinks. Fuel lively debates about characters, themes, and prose. Expand your literary horizons together by venturing beyond your usual genres.

Your book club can be anything you make – profound, fun, intimate or expansive. Follow your passion for great stories and conversation wherever it leads.

13 – Learn a New Instrument

It's never too late to pick up a musical instrument you've always longed to play. Learning a new instrument can be achieved at any age with the right mindset, methodical practice, and an excellent teacher.

Go for guitar, piano, drums, violin, clarinet, harmonica – whichever resonates with you. Use apps like Simply Piano and Fender Play for introductory learning. Find an instructor experienced with adult students for personalised coaching. Set small, regular practice goals.

Progress may feel slow initially. But sticking with your instrumental passion project will unlock creativity, coordination, and confidence.

14 – Launch a YouTube Channel

YouTube stardom may seem out of reach, but channels on niche interests can cultivate a loyal niche viewership over time. If you've got video production chops and unique expertise to share, why not give YouTube a shot?

Grab a decent camera and editing software to produce content on a subject you know well – cooking, crafts, gaming, finance tips, exercise how-tos, etc. Optimise posts for searchability. Promote through social media to drive views and subscribers.

The most successful channels stay consistent, post regularly, and connect with fans. You likely won't become the next beauty guru or viral comedian. But some passion and personality could earn you a YouTube following.

15 – Plan an International Trip

Travelling to a foreign country can be life-changing but takes significant planning. Make booking an international adventure your next passion project.

Choose a destination rich with personal meaning, from your ancestral homeland to a locale you've always longed to visit:

• Research visa requirements, airfare deals, and lodging.
• Learn key phrases in the local language.
• Map out an itinerary mixing must-see sights with hidden gems.

The joy is as much in the preparatory journey as the trip itself. Immerse yourself in your destination, and the voyage will change your perspective.

Follow Your Heart

Which of the above ideas resonates most? Here are a few signs a potential passion project is worth pursuing:

• It aligns with your core values.  The project reflects an issue or activity you already care about.
• It sparks curiosity.  You find yourself eagerly reading the project concept or telling friends about it.
• It nudges you beyond your comfort zone.  The project involves skills you want to develop or growth you'd like to experience.
• It lets you get your hands dirty.  The concept provides concrete ways to dive into experimenting and learning.
• It feels intrinsically motivated.  Your interest comes from within rather than external achievement.

Ideally, a passion project checks several of these boxes. Pay attention to what genuinely excites you, not just what looks good “on paper.” Don't worry about mistakes or expert skills at first. This is a judgment-free zone to play, create, and have fun.

If one project doesn't stick, try another. Follow your motivation. Eventually, you'll discover the unique intersection of joy, curiosity, purpose, and flow that makes a passion project feel like a calling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Passion Project Ideas

Still, considering taking on a passion project? Here are answers to some common questions:

How do I find time for a passion project when I'm already so busy?

Start small, 30 minutes a day or a few hours each weekend. Cut back on TV or social media to create time. Or wake up 30 minutes earlier.

Do I need special skills or talent to complete a passion project?

Not at all! Passion projects are for learning. If you were an expert already, it wouldn't be as exciting. Embrace being a beginner.

What if I start a passion project and then lose interest?

That's okay! These are voluntary side pursuits. Try a few out until one sparks ongoing joy. Don't force yourself to continue something that is no longer fulfilling.

Can a passion project turn into a career?

For some people, yes! Passion projects can uncover hidden talents and interests that evolve into related careers. But there's no pressure to monetise hobbies if you prefer they remain personal joys.

Do I have to share my passion project with others?

Sharing your work can be enormously rewarding if you want feedback or to connect with others who enjoy your passion. But it's also okay to keep projects private if you prefer solo learning. Follow your comfort level.

Conclusion: It's Time to Explore Your Passions

Life can quickly become consumed by responsibilities and obligations, leaving little energy for sheer curiosity and joy. But regularly permitting ourselves to unpack neglected interests keeps us centred, enthusiastic, and purposeful.

So challenge yourself to turn a hobby, skill, idea, or cause you care about into a passion project. Start brainstorming concepts that excite you. Or pick an inspirational idea from this article to dive deeper into.

By wholeheartedly embracing the learning process – mistakes and all – you'll gain much from pursuing a passion project. At a minimum, you'll discover new skills and knowledge. But you may also forge new relationships, uncover hidden career opportunities, and expand your worldview.

What are you waiting for? Make the rest of today the first small step toward launching your passion project. The personal fulfilment you've been seeking is waiting. So follow your curiosity fearlessly wherever it leads.

Stuart Crawford

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How to Implement Passion Projects for Elementary Students (Stress-free!)

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Genius Hour (passion project or 20 percent time) is an incredible way to bring student choice, inquiry-driven learning and differentiation into the classroom. If you’re not familiar with it, read this post outlining the what and why of Genius Hour first.

If you know you want to implement Genius Hour, but aren’t sure how, this post will break down everything you need to start passion projects for elementary students.

I’ll be going through how to start a passion project, the 6 main steps and some ideas and resources for you.

Table of Contents

The genius hour framework.

There’s no one way to do Genius Hour in the classroom. However, there are a few main components to organizing a successful project.

Firstly, consider how you want to schedule your Genius Hour projects. I like to do about one hour each week (Friday afternoons are perfect for this). In this way, I can make it a more integral part of my Literacy program and keep it running for longer.

Other teachers, prefer to make it a standalone project and work on it every day for a month or so. Depending on your schedule and preferences, this is up to you but think ahead and plan for the duration of the project.

Make sure you’re familiar with exactly how you want to plan, organize and run your passion projects for students. They’re going to be getting a lot of freedom with this so if you’re not clear on your expectations it could get wild quickly!

FORGET PIECING EVERYTHING TOGETHER, SAVE TIME WITH A DONE-FOR-YOU PACKAGE!

Get everything you need to run Genius Hour in your classroom. Teacher notes, student pages, assessment + a bulletin board set with student resources!

How to Start a Passion Project

In my experience, students have a (surprisingly) hard time identifying their passions and choosing their initial topic. There’s a good chance your students are used to being given a lot more direction and can feel a little overwhelmed to start. So start prepping them, and building excitement early.

I would highly recommend only doing Genius Hour after you’ve taught Asking Questions Reading Comprehension Strategy . This will make the task of choosing their inquiry question for their passion project much easier. We learn about thick and thin questions and become familiar using a Q-Chart.

Reading books like The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco is a wonderful way to build interest and celebrate creativity, innovation and risk-taking.

I also created a Genius Hour Prezi with a few videos and action tasks to introduce the concept and get students excited about it.

There are 6 main steps to completing Genius Hour in the classroom:

• Brainstorming passions
• Choosing a topic
• Researching
• Creating a product
• Presenting finished project

Brainstorming Passions

I take my students through some brainstorming questions to help them think about things they feel strongly about, love to do, or would love to learn.

Once students have some general ideas, let them think of possible topic ideas and develop ‘burning questions’. The one main rule here is that the question cannot be answered with a simple Google search.

This is where having pre-taught Questioning comes in. My students are familiar with the Q-Chart and thick and thin questions. Inquiry questions must be ‘thick questions’. Essentially, how and why questions are great!

This is where the bulk of my Genius Hour lesson plans come into play. The quality of their idea generation and topic selection will determine the success of the entire assignment.

Choose a Topic

I have a conference with every student when they think they have a couple of possible questions. It takes a little time but is worth it to make sure all students have a high-quality question that will really allow them to delve deep and get good research.

If questions are a little to ‘thin’, I give them some ideas on how they can adjust them to make it ‘meatier’. Or they can change directions if they choose.

Have students consider the type of final product they could create with their topic at this stage as well. While they can definitely change their minds, it helps them visualize the direction and depth of their topic.

Passion Project Ideas

Some teachers will give possible Genius hour topics or give suggestions. I prefer to leave it wide open for my students to be as creative as possible when brainstorming their passion project ideas.

My only ‘rules’ are that it:

• must be something they feel strongly about and want to become an ‘expert’ in,
• includes a final product (this could be considered the passion project part) that will be shared so the intended audience must be considered,
• makes the world better somehow. *I define this loosely as it benefitting themselves, the class, school, community or world at large.

When everyone has a topic, it’s time to research. I encourage students to use a variety of sources: books, websites, newspapers, documentaries, first person interviews…

This is a great time to book the computer lab, Chromebook cart or whatever your school has for technology as well as a visit to the library.

My role is mostly that of a facilitator at this point. I ensure students are on task, help where needed and give suggestions if they are getting stuck.

I have a list of age-appropriate websites available to make this a little easier as well. I post each one on our Genius Hour bulletin board with a QR code so students can easily access each site.

Final Product

Every passion project needs to end with a product to be shared. Encourage students to go beyond the usual powerpoint or poster (unless that truly is the best format for their topic).

This is the perfect time to be creative and try something new.

Students might create a video, give a performance or demonstration, present a skit/song/poem, make a model, create a website… The possibilities are endless.

Again, I created a list of possible passion project ideas for students to help give students some inspiration and think outside the box. These also get posted on our bulletin board right at the beginning of the project. I didn’t do this the first time around and I got a whole lot of posters!

Presentations

Finally, students present their Genius Hour passion projects to the class. You could even bring in a wider audience: a younger class, their peers, the principal, parents or community leaders.

I actually build this in throughout the project rather than save it all to the end. However, the important thing is to allow time for students to reflect on the experience.

After work sessions, I have my students reflect on what they accomplished, what they need to be successful moving forward (and plan for it), what goals they will set for their next work session and so on.

At the end of the entire project, students might consider their learning, the challenges they experienced, the parts they enjoyed most, the work ethic they demonstrated…

Depending on the age of your students, reflection might look a little different but it’s an important part of learning that is easily overlooked.

How to Assess Passion Projects

I was hesitant to implement Genius Hour at first because I wasn’t sure how to assess something that was so open-ended. Every student has very different passion project ideas, topics and final products so where do you start?

While it is absolutely possible to tie this into a subject area, i.e., environmental issues for Science or important historical figures for Social Studies, I prefer to keep it wide open.

I realized that, despite the differentiation, every single Language Arts strand was being addressed.

• Reading was happening during the research phase,
• Writing was covered during both the research and final product creation,
• Oral Communication was happening during the final presentation, and
• Media was being created by every single student for their final product (albeit different forms of media).

I created a generic rubric for each of the 4 Language Arts strands. They are based on the Ontario Expectations but open-ended enough that they work for different projects and different grades.

20 Percent Time Project Ideas

Some of the projects my students have created over the years include:

• Learning a musical instrument,
• Learning to master a video game,
• Learning to build a website,
• How to bake the perfect cupcake,
• How to become an excellent watercolour artist,
• Build a functional bathouse…

As you can see, the topics are as varied as the students behind them!

Get Ready-to-use Passion Project Resources for your Classroom!

✓ Teacher notes

✓ Student pages

✓ Assessment

✓ Bulletin board set with student resources

Passion Projects for Elementary Students

I’m not going to lie, these projects are not a walk in the park to get started. It takes some work the first time around but once you get the ball rolling you won’t look back! I haven’t been able to do it yet, but I envision a class where this runs year round and students just take as long as they need to finish one passion project idea before rolling into the next one!

Are you ready to get started with Genius Hour in your classroom? Reach out with any questions and I would love to hear how it goes!

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Best Sites for Genius Hour/Passion Projects

These top Genius Hour/Passion Project websites provide expert guidance to educators interested in implementing Genius Hour in their classrooms

In the age of standardized testing—and teaching to that very test—both teachers and students can be reenergized by a different way to teach and learn. Whether it’s called Genius Hour, Passion Project, or 20% Time, the principle is the same: Students learn more and benefit in multiple other ways from pursuing their own interests and taking charge of their own education. 

Yet students still need the guidance and support of their teachers to embark on such projects. That’s where the diverse Genius Hour guides and videos below can help. Most are free and created by educators with experience designing and successfully implementing Genius Hour in their classroom.  

Start planning your Genius Hour today with these outstanding methods and resources. 

The Research Behind PBL, Genius Hour, and Choice In The Classroom If you’re thinking about trying Genius Hour in your classroom, you may be interested in what the research says. Educator and author A.J. Juliani compiled, sorted, and analyzed a broad array of studies and surveys about student-directed learning. 

Gold Standard PBL: Essential Project Design Elements Do you know the seven essential design elements of project-based learning? Start planning your next Genius Hour with these helpful PBL resources, including video examples of actual student projects in architecture, chemistry, and social studies. 

Teacher's Guide to Passion Projects (Genius Hour) A fine handbook for teachers who want to understand, design, and implement Passion Project/Genius Hour, this guide includes topics such as Why work on Passion Projects, Getting Started, Assessing Progress, Example Lesson, and much more.

Building a PBL Culture Right from the Start More than a lesson plan or curriculum, project-based learning is about classroom culture. Does your classroom culture support and encourage genuine inquiry, student-directed learning and working independently? If not, try these four simple ideas to change the culture and expand learning.

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You Get to Have Your Own Genius Hour (A Video for Students) Educator John Spencer’s video serves as an enthusiastic introduction for students new to Genius Hour, as well as a prompt for passion project ideas. 

What is Project-Based Learning? John Spencer compares and contrasts project-based learning with traditional education and explains how two teachers sparked a life-long passion for learning through PBL. 

Passion Projects Fuel Student-Driven Learning Middle school teacher Maegan Bowersox provides a step-by-step template for a complete six-week passion project, from the initial setup to a sample weekly learning plan to the final presentation. Although she designed this plan for students bored by pandemic restrictions, it applies equally well to students back to the usual classroom. 

What is Genius Hour? Introduction to Genius Hour in the Classroom A forerunner of Genius Hour, Google’s 20% passion project policy allows employees to work on side projects that have special interest for them. Gmail, one of the most successful email programs ever, was such a project. Award-winning science educator Chris Kesler explains the connection between Google and Genius Hour, as well as his method of implementing Genius Hour in his classroom. 

How to Plan & Implement Genius Hour in your Elementary Classroom Elementary STEM teacher and edtech coach Maddie brings her high-voltage personality to this well-organized Genius Hour video. Watch the entire video or select time-stamped chapters of interest such as “Just Right” questions or “Research Topics.” Either way, you’ll find plenty of ideas to create your own Genius Hour.

Building Student Agency With Genius Hour Third-grade teacher Emily Deak shares her strategies for Genius Hour preparation and implementation, from brainstorming with students to identifying relevant standards to criteria for the final presentation.

Engagement Strategy Toolkits There’s no single way to construct a Genius Hour program, but engaging your students is a must. Each of these six diverse toolkits—Internships, Citizen Science, Tinkering & Making, Games, Problem-Based Learning, and Design Thinking—includes a detailed guide, standards citation, and examples of implementation. 

The Passion Project: Free Online Activities A remarkable, unique organization founded by two young women, the Passion Project pairs high school students with younger kids to create a mentoring relationship from which both learn and benefit. Students can sign up for fall classes or apply to become a student leader now. 

Cama School District Passion Project Rubrics Everything needed to plan and execute their own Genius Hour is within this document and the linked action plan, assessment rubric, presentation rubric, and Common Core standards. Ideal for educators who are ready to implement one this semester.

Teachers Pay Teachers Passion Projects Explore hundreds of passion project lessons, classroom-tested and rated by your fellow teachers. Searchable by grade, standards, subject, price (nearly 200 free lessons!), rating, and type of resource. 

• How to Teach Project-Based Learning in a Virtual Classroom  
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Passion Project Workshop

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Do you have a great passion in life? For example, we are design enthusiasts - so we started a company! Okay, well it's not that simple, "chase your dreams" is easy to say, but sometimes it's complicated. How then to develop your dream project? How to set up a themed hotel in Hawaii? This elegant template serves to give a workshop on how to achieve your great passion. The slides are 100% customizable, so you can add the content you want because there is no single key to achieve our dreams - share your most personal experience! Download this template to prepare a passionate workshop.

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• Presentation

Top tips for delivering a passionate presentation

• April 20, 2022

You have a passion that you would like to share with the world. Maybe it’s gardening, scrapbooking, or cooking! There are many ways people can turn their passion presentation for careers in various industries. from being an artist who creates art-related products as part-time work on weekends (to selling them at craft shows) all while working full-time during weekdays; or even As a church leader, you’ve likely had plenty of practice with public speaking. Years of experience have given you the confidence to hold your own in front of large crowds and provide talks that are both engaging and relevant, no matter the size or Presentation design services of the audience.

“If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.” -Benjamin Franklin

Table of Contents

Why Passion Is Essential?

The wisdom of Benjamin Franklin reminds us to be cautious when it comes to presentations driven by passion. Passion can be a powerful tool, but if it’s not guided by reason, the results may not reflect a person’s true potential. This quote speaks volumes about the value of passionate presentations – provided they are directed and focused. When passion is presented in a reasoned manner, one is already on their way towards success.

1- Have a clear idea

Presentation time! When it comes to making presentations about your passion, the most important thing is preparation. This means having a clear idea of what you want to say and how YOU are going to convey that in an engaging way so people will listen and stay tuned for more information later on down this road because WE know there’s always more story left unwritten after all these years… Take some extra effort now by taking note of our example below: One great place starting points can come from is “The 5 Love Languages,” by Gary Chapman (which I’m told every single person owns). You’ll need access if possible but even just reading and skimming over parts could help freshen up any existing knowledge.

2- Know your reasons

When you’re passionate about something, it shows. What’s your reason for getting up in front of an audience each day? Maybe it’s to share a love or knowledge that will inspire others like them–and maybe even teach themselves new skills along the way! Keynote speakers know how powerful this approach can be because they’ve seen firsthand just what happens when someone is truly invested: hearts open wide as flames contagious laughter fills every soul present enthusiasm runs high everyone wants more… This passage comes from my experience working with audiences who have demonstrated exceptional

3- Be engaging and interesting

When you’re delivering a presentation, it’s important to be engaging and interesting. This means using different techniques like visuals or storytelling in your speech so that people stay tuned into what is happening! It also helps if they know beforehand just how well YOU will do during the actual event by practicing beforehand- even though this may sound counterintuitive at first given all of our natural hesitation creatures when put on stage performing ourselves (or giving presentations).

4- SPEAK ABOUT SOMETHING YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT

When you’re on stage, it’s not just about what is said but also how your voice sounds. If the room can feel one hundred degrees more temperate with an enthusiastic tone of speech than without one – then we have ourselves a winner!

Delivering an effective presentation requires clarity in articulating words and phrases. As well, speaking with passion provides an emotion-filled element that will engage listeners. Additionally, it is important to ensure the verbal content ties together neatly when transitioning between topics or speeches. Taking these qualities into consideration will help create a powerful connection with your audience.

5- DON’T USE FLASHCARDS

You’re about to give a speech and you know it’s going to be tough, but don’t prepare too much. Trust your natural instincts when preparing for this event because making eye contact with the audience or focusing on key points will help make an interesting talk that leaves people wanting more. When you’re preparing for a presentation, make sure to only work on the lines that will really help your performance. It’s stressful enough trying to remember what I said in addition to just forgetting everything anyway so why add another layer of difficulty by practicing things beforehand? The answer here is simple – don’t prepare anything but those moments where it matters most!

6- FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUALS IN YOUR AUDIENCE

When addressing a crowd, make eye contact with those in attendance and smile. Once you’re comfortable do so while maintaining the widest grin possible to show how excited or happy about what’s going on! This will help everyone else feel involved too-it’s important that every individual feels invested if possible (and hopefully interested). If not ask questions yourself; either way have fun engaging all those strangers around me!”

7- PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Prior rehearsal is key to mastering your presentation. You must become confident with the material you plan to present, and its structure. Remember that you are running a performance show – various moments may be energetic or calmer, but all should have an effect on your audience members. As you rehearse, consider the emotions of your listeners. Note which times they should feel energized and when they need to experience slower movements. Perfecting this ‘symphony’ will make all the difference in delivering with poise and confidence.

8- Use visuals

Using visuals for presentations can be an effective way to illustrate your topic and enhance the audience’s engagement. Consider incorporating videos, photos, or charts to help get your message across in a concise and direct manner. It’s best to prepare these elements beforehand so you’re ready for the presentation day.

Examples of Speakers who have passion presentations:

Steve Jobs left an indelible impact on the art of public speaking. His 2007 presentation of Apple’s first iPhone revolutionized the field. An inspired performance, it elevated public speaking to new heights and established Jobs as a benchmark for other would-be communicators.

Elon Musk’s companies have become some of the most recognizable businesses around the world. His speaking style is unique; compared to many others in the industry, it lacks polish and comes from a personal place. His public engagements often evoke strong emotions.

Oprah Winfrey

The renowned TV host has captured the attention of her audiences with her uplifting speeches. She often shares personal anecdotes and heartwarming messages about how she has achieved success in life. Her stirring talks have been delivered at a variety of award ceremonies and events, where she spreads positivity through inspiring stories.

At the end of this information, we wish to let you know that should you require help in the middle of your process, our team of experts at Temis Marketing will be more than happy to assist. With their specialized skills and services, we guarantee 100% customer satisfaction. Thank you for your time!

Even if you don’t have to regularly present in front of a group, there are countless situations where strong public speaking skills can help you advance in your career. Being a good public speaker can increase your reputation, boost your confidence, and open up countless opportunities for you.

Passion can be a powerful tool, but if it’s not guided by reason, the results may not reflect a person’s true potential.When passion is presented in a reasoned manner, one is already on their way towards success.

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PASSION PROJECTS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Passion Projects were a staple in my gifted enrichment classroom in the 1970s.  Back in those days, we called them Type III enrichment activities (Renzulli Enrichment Model) or Independent Studies.  But thankfully, things changed as general education has embraced the concepts of thinking skills, creative production, and talent development. Today we see these activities implemented in all types of classrooms through Genius Hour, Passion Projects, and Maker Spaces.  Whatever title you choose to give them, Passion Projects promote student-centered investigations.  They are examples of personalized learning and differentiation at their finest.

Why Use Passion Projects?

These projects are one of the best ways to keep students engaged and excited about learning.  A bonus is that they address many of your students’ social-emotional needs. Passion Projects have an immediate buy-in from the students because they are centered on a topic each student is very interested in.  They complement the core curriculum because they integrate reading comprehension skills, note-taking skills, and writing skills. More than just learning research skills, Passion Projects promote creativity and innovative thinking. Students develop self-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision making. They are learning essential life skills such as planning, decision making, persistence through overcoming obstacles, problem-solving, time management, and personal reflection.

In this blog post, I am going to give you all the steps I use when leading my students through the Passion Project process for the very first time .   You will be able to shorten the steps for later projects. Be forewarned!  This blog post is long, but if you read it in its entirety, you will know everything you need to know to successfully implement Passion Projects in your classroom.

If you want to learn about using Passion Projects through Distance Learning, you can check out that blog post here .

Precisely What Are Passion Projects?

A Passion Project is an investigative activity.  Rather than being a teacher-centered curriculum, it is a student-centered curriculum. Students identify an area of interest.  Next, they develop a burning question related to that topic.  The burning question is a question they want to find the answer to, but it is a little more complicated.  It is what we like to call a non-Google-able question.  You can’t find the answer through a simple Internet search.

Students use a variety of sources to research their burning question .  Next, they create a product to present to an audience of their choice. The final, often overlooked stage of the process is reflection.  During reflection, students think about what went well, what they would change, and what they learned.

My favorite thing about Passion Projects is that throughout the entire process, students are in charge of their learning.  They get to experience the joy of discovery and learning new things. The role of the teacher changes as they become coaches, facilitators, procurers of resources, editors, and cheerleaders.  Teachers coach and encourage students when they get stuck or experience failure, which some inevitably will.

How Can I Fit Passion Projects Into My Schedule?

I usually set aside one hour per week for students to work on their Passion Projects.  We call this time Genius Hour because it is modeled after the 20% Time model used by many corporations.

Setting the Stage for Passion Projects

Before I even begin to introduce Passion Projects to my students, I like to share some picture books about real people who have followed their passions to achieve incredible things.  There are tons of picture books out there you can use, but these are just three I have used.  My favorite is The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco.

This picture book is the true story of Patricia and some of her classmates in a class for special needs students. Others have dubbed the class The Junkyard Wonders. With the help of a forward-thinking teacher, these students take a classmate’s passion for rockets and space, and together they design, build, and launch a rocket.

At the end of the book, Patricia writes an afternote and lets you know all the characters are real people.  She tells how the members of the group, whom everyone considered “junk,”  followed their passion and went on to do incredible things. One becomes an aeronautical engineer for NASA, another the artistic director for a ballet company, a third went on to become a textile designer. Patricia herself became a best-selling children’s book author.

Next, we talk about the difference between a passion and a hobby. Passions are things that are all-consuming while hobbies are things you tend to do for fun. Finally, I share examples of everyday kids who used their passion to achieve great things and make a difference.

Identifying Areas of Interest or Passion

In this stage, students examine their interests and categorize them. Next, they narrow their list down to three interest areas.  I do this because so many of my students think they are interested in and curious about everything!

I use the website Wonderopolis® with students who have difficulty identifying areas of interest.

Creating Burning Questions For Your Passion Project

I think creating burning or non-Google-able questions may be one of the most challenging stages of the Passion Project process.  So many of the kids want to develop a question that could quickly be answered by a Google™ search and then just begin their project. To help students create their burning questions, you need to give some examples.  Some questions I have had students create are:

• How can people earn a living by playing video games?
• How have computers changed our lives?
• How do you become a professional football player?
• How can you build a robot?
• How can you make sweet desserts that aren’t fattening?

If you notice, most of the questions begin with the word “how.”  Questions that begin with “what” need to say things like What are some ways…  What are some things we can do to… etc.  Notice there is no one right answer.  It’s fun to have a “ Wonder Wall ” as a bulletin board so you can display each student’s burning question.

Selecting Resources to Research For Your Passion Project

In this stage, during Genius Hour, students think of all the different sources they can use for information to help them answer their burning question.  Of course, there are the usual resources such as books, magazines, newspaper articles, the Internet, etc.  But I like for them to consider a variety of sources.  Here’s a list of some great ones I have found.

• Wonderopolis
• Library Spot this free virtual library center has links to everything your kids might need
• National Geographic Kids
• School Tube
• Project Gutenberg an excellent source for primary documents and out of print books – all free
• Fact Monster
• Your local PBS Learning website for teachers has tons of stuff for kids
• Interviews with experts through ZOOM or email

 Selecting the Product to Create

One of the most critical steps in the Passion Project process is selecting a product.  The students will need to consider their burning question, their intended audience, time, and the materials they will need to create a product.

For example, if a student’s burning question is, How did dinosaurs become extinct? , a brochure or a skit might not be the best product to allow him to present his research.  It might be better if he made a PowerPoint presentation, a project board, or a magazine article. Students must also think about their audience when selecting a product to create. If they wish to write a magazine article about the extinction of dinosaurs, what grades would find it interesting? Would that be an appropriate product for kindergarten or first grade?

Another factor when selecting your product is time and materials.  A video will take a lot of time, and you might not have the equipment you need readily available, but you might have the resources to create a picture book.

With so many factors to consider, students should think carefully about the product they wish to produce. I have had many occasions when students were overly ambitious in their choice of a product. Consequently, they became very frustrated and overwhelmed during the product creation stage.

Submitting the Project Proposal

 I like to have my students complete a Passion Project proposal form.  In their proposal, I ask for the following five things:

• Name of the project
• The burning question you want to answer
• Resources you will use to answer your question
• Your audience
• Your product

During Genius Hour, I meet with students individually to discuss their proposals.  I sometimes offer suggestions, and we might modify the proposal. We both sign off on the proposal, and the real work begins.  It may sound like I spend a lot of time upfront before the students start their research. However, my experience has been that unless you spend time planning and organizing BEFORE you get to the researching and creating stage, you are likely to encounter many problems later.   For example, kids might discover their question is so obscure they can’t find information. Or, they might decide their plans were a little too ambitious, and they need to scale back a little.

Researching and Creating The Product

Sometimes when students have a big task such as a question to research, a product to create and a presentation, it seems overwhelming. If they only focus on the whole picture, they can become discouraged, put it off, and not even know where to begin. It is easier for them to focus on a small task rather than thinking of the entire process. I have found that the easiest way to overcome this is to have them break the process down into small steps they will complete each week during Genius Hour.

I tell them it’s like putting together a jigsaw puzzle – they focus on one piece at a time. It helps to have each create a checklist of all the small steps they need to make from researching to presenting.  That way, when they complete each step, they can check it off.  It gives them a sense of accomplishment. I also have students reflect at the end of each session and make a plan for what they want to accomplish during their next Genius Hour period.

Practice, Practice, Practice, PRESENT!

Your students have finished their research; their products are complete. Now it’s time to prepare to present!  The key is PRACTICE .  I encourage my students to rehearse their presentations in front of a mirror, friends, and family.  The more they practice, the more comfortable and confident they will be during their presentations. Rehearsing is one part of the process I have them work on at home rather than limiting it to our Genius Hour time.

Reflecting, the Often Forgotten Step

Throughout the process, I have students reflect on what they are doing.  Reflection gets them “thinking about their thinking.” At the end of the Passion Project process, students complete a rubric for both their presentation and their work during the Passion Project process.  I also have students complete a form about the entire process where they reflect on what went well, what they learned, and what they would do differently.  I don’t assign grades for Passion Projects.  Throughout the process, I am giving feedback and also complete the same rubrics the students do.  During Genius Hour, I hold a post-project conference with each student. The student shares his rubric and reflection with me and I share my copy of the rubric.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t tried Passion Projects in your classroom, I encourage you to give it a try.  I often had students tell me it was their favorite activity in school.

I have a product in my TpT store called Discover Your Passion which includes PowerPoint Presentations, handouts, graphic organizers, lessons for each stage of the process, and rubrics. The product contains a version for traditional classroom instruction and Distance Learning.  You can purchase it by clicking on the picture below.

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Six things professionals can learn from high school passion projects.

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Stephen Turban is one of the founders of Lumiere Education and a Harvard College graduate.

When making admissions decisions, college admissions officers face the challenging task of selecting a limited number of academically high-achieving students to accept. In this context, students must demonstrate a compelling “narrative” within their application that shows a clear trajectory of their interests, motivations and academic goals.

As a result, many motivated high school students undertake “passion projects” to refine their interests, build up their credentials and serve as the culmination of their high school experience. My company provides a research program for students, so this is something I’ve seen firsthand. For future engineering students, this might entail tackling a research project they submit for publication or competitions. Students interested in the humanities might launch an online publication featuring original analysis on topics in their intended field of study.

Outside the college admissions realm, the strategies and methods employed in high school passion projects offer meaningful lessons for the professional world. In this article, I’ll lay out six valuable features of completing high school passion projects and how professionals can learn from them.

1. Consolidating Goals

A strong passion project not only aims to increase one’s odds of admission at a school but also to prepare for specialized coursework at the college level. In your professional activities, it’s similarly strategic to view your work as both learning- and achievement-based.

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As you advance in your career, you’re preparing yourself to handle increasingly challenging and significant tasks. If you’re working toward a promotion, you should be able to demonstrate that you’re not only a high-achieving employee but also someone dedicated to learning more about the field and building a wide-ranging skill set.

One way of doing this is to take initiative (and deliver results) in projects both within and tangential to your skill set. If you work in marketing, for example, it might be useful to collaborate and learn from the data analysis team. Not only does this signal high ownership, but it also signals your potential across workstreams.

2. Solving Real-World Problems

In admissions evaluations, the idea of “impact” is paramount. Even if two students have dedicated equal amounts of time to their project, the student who had the most tangible impact through their work will stand out most.

In the professional world, taking on new projects or initiatives will always add a line to your resume, but these will be overlooked if they hold limited significance to your role or fail to add value to your job performance. Design the projects you undertake strategically by focusing on how you can achieve the strongest results.

One way to address this is by identifying certain pain points within the organization and its workstreams and addressing them in order of urgency and impact. If you’re a project management professional, it might be useful to reorient certain aspects of the product management workflow, such as databases, communication touchpoints, etc. These are high-impact, high-urgency pain points that, if addressed in time, can help avoid large-scale issues within the workstream. On the other hand, focusing on the design of a particular piece of onboarding/reference collateral might not be as strategic of a move in terms of priority.

3. Crafting A Narrative

Crafting a narrative trajectory that highlights the evolution of one’s goals, passions and accomplishments isn’t just relevant to college applications. Although it might occur in a different context, this is a necessary skill for professional success. “Tell me about yourself” is a question to expect at every interview; it’s a moment where job seekers are tasked with giving a concise summary of their career and how each step of their professional life has led them to this job.

Just as passion projects serve as a mechanism for articulating students’ academic trajectories and accomplishments, professional undertakings should be planned with an eye toward how they add value to the trajectory of your career.

4. Building A Work Portfolio

Students with impressive passion projects can submit their work in an optional supplementary portfolio. Common examples include student researchers submitting abstracts or published articles and music students sharing performance recordings that might subsequently be reviewed by faculty who can advocate for their admission.

In highly competitive career fields, samples of successful work can be compelling when applying to jobs, advocating for a raise or requesting a reference from a supervisor. Try to make every project you complete an accomplishment that speaks to the extent of your abilities and your value in the workplace.

5. Sticking To A Timeline

High schoolers have a hard deadline for completing their passion projects. For their projects to add value to their college applications, everything must be wrapped up before the admissions cycle begins. In other words, the timeline is structured around the goals the project hopes to achieve.

When developing plans or projects in your professional life, try to avoid arbitrary deadlines. If there’s not a clear reason why something should be completed at a given time, it can lead to procrastination or delays if you shift your focus to another priority. Instead, consider timelines strategically. Aim to complete a given task when it would be most beneficial to your career or best prepare you to meet a longer-term goal.

6. Standing Out From The Crowd

One of the fundamental goals of high school passion projects is to differentiate a student from other similarly qualified candidates. Many applicants will have perfect grades and test scores but lack the aspect of uniqueness and ambition that passion projects demonstrate.

In the professional world, a similar principle can be applied. There might be a multitude of successful individuals in your field, but not all of them will demonstrate equal creativity or forward thinking. In your work, don’t limit yourself to doing things well; do things differently . Can you develop a new approach or solution to a common problem? Is there a way to make your business more innovative or offer a service or product that others lack?

Differentiating yourself from others in your field is an outstanding way to position yourself as a standout employee and lead you to greater success in your career.

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