A Meaningful Mess: Utilizing Passion Projects to Make Learning Meaningful

Presenter: Andi McNair

If you’re ready to refresh gifted services, make school a place learners want to be, and uncover giftedness that often goes unseen, Genius Hour is the place to begin. This approach transformed my classroom and reignited my passion for teaching while giving learners, especially twice-exceptional (2E) students, the freedom, structure, and safety to thrive.

In this session, I’ll share how my 6 Ps of Genius Hour framework makes passion-based learning both manageable for educators and meaningful for learners. When implemented with intention, Genius Hour becomes a powerful way to identify and serve giftedness, helping students lean into their strengths, build authentic skills, and make a real impact.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or simply ready for something better, this session will give you a clear path forward and tools you can use right away. You’ll leave inspired and equipped to create learning spaces where every kind of giftedness can shine and where both students and teachers can thrive.