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65 STEM Themed Personal Passion Project Ideas
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!
65 STEM Themed Personal Passion Project Ideas
- 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
- volunteer
- 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. Here is a good place to see lots of different personal passion projects created by students from all around the world.
Step 3 is to do it!
Step 4 is to share your Personal Passion Project. A great place to start is in the Student Showcase. [All Explorer students can share their PPP for a chance to win $500 (see your GEAR UP or Talent Search Director for details)!]
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!
Then keep learning, making, solving, and doing amazing STEM stuff!