Name:___________________

Date:___________
Genius Research Project

A genius project is a project that allows students to explore their own passions
and creativity in a specific area (and become a genius) during a set period of time
during school. Genius hour was originally a pet project of the search-engine giant
Google, where engineers were allowed to spend 20% of their time on any project they
wanted. Genius hour worked so well that 50% of Googles projects have been created
during genius hour.
In our classroom, students will be given a set amount of time to research and put
together a presentation and research paper on a project of their choice. Students will
spend several weeks researching the topic and creating a product or visual that will be
shared with their classmates. They will need to use at least five different sources,
including Internet and print sources, and may use interviews with experts in a
particular field if at all possible. Students will need to document their sources and
present their findings in a cumulative informational paper AND a product/visual.
Students will be able to research a topic of their choice so long as it is a
researchable question that is approved by Ms. Ahern and is school-appropriate.
Students will have at least 45 minutes per week to work on their research and project in
class, but may have to spend time at home working on it as well in order to finish by the
deadline of January 16th. This will give students 5 weeks during school, and 2 weeks
over winter break to complete their research papers and projects and be prepared to
present their findings.
Before students begin researching and working on their projects they must:
- Have identified their topic and essential questions (see below)
- Have completed the Genius Hour Planning Sheet
- Have the topic, question, and plan approved by Ms. Ahern

Name:___________________

Date:___________

Genius Hour Planning Sheet

My general topic for genius hour is:
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What I already know about my topic:

What I want to know about my topic:

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Essential Questions (EQs) do not have easy yes or no answers. EQs try to
solve problems, understand complexities, and/or causes and effects. EQs usually start
with: How does this affect, Why does it matter that, How could things be
different if, What is more important, What is the best design for, What is the
difference
Some examples:
- How did the ice age start and what happened to the people and the animals?
- Who created the Internet and why? How does this affect our culture today?
- Who are the most famous artists throughout history and why do they matter?
- How does gravity work and how come open space has no gravity?
- How are Solar Systems formed and what is the purpose of them? What other
solar systems exist?
- How has architecture changed over the years with regard to materials and
functions?
Think about what you want to know and what you dont know about your topic and form
some preliminary Essential Questions. Use the question starters and examples to get
you started.

Name:___________________

Date:___________

How does _______________ affect __________________?

Why does it matter that
How could things be better
What is more important
Which is the best
My Final Essential Question:
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Materials I Think Ill Need:
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My Plan To Research My Topic:
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How I Will Present My Findings (My Product/Visual):
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Teacher Signature:_______________________