Sharing their passion

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This article was published 20/12/2013 (4491 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Clearspring Middle School showcased around 75 projects from grade 7 students who spent a lot of time researching topics they are passionate about. With students being given a wide open playing field, the variety of topics ranged greatly; from electric guitars to longboards, from lipstick to sweaters.

“Students learned how to do a proper report, properly cite sources, and what makes a reliable source,” said teacher Patty Nicholls. “Students were encouraged to work at home as much as they could because technology is often limited in a school with this many kids.”

The Passion Project started with learning a lot about reports and how to research a topic. Students were assisted in narrowing their chosen topic. When it came time to buckle down and get work done at home, Nicholls found most students did not mind.

“I think it was because they got to pick the topic they were really interested in,” she speculated. “They were engaged 100% of the time.”

Shelby Doerksen chose to focus her research on the art of sewing. That decision rose from her passion for fashion.

“Sewing is fun and it’s what I want to do,” she said with a huge grin. “You can learn so much from it, like being patient.”

Doerksen would like to dive a little deeper into the art, sewing more sweatshirts and finding ways to improve her end product. She has set her sites on creating her own clothing line.