The School District of Lancaster is always seeking innovative ways to connect learning with students’ interests, creativity, and real-world skills. As part of our Strategic Focus on Academic Excellence, we’re excited to introduce Genius Hour, a pilot program designed to increase student engagement by giving students structured time to explore their passions, ask big questions, and create something meaningful.
Genius Hour is inspired by Google’s “20% Time,” a workplace model where employees are given a portion of their time to work on passion projects. The idea is simple but powerful: when people are given time and space to explore what excites them, they become more engaged, more creative, and more invested in the work. In the school setting, this translates to students using up to an hour a week to dive into topics they care about, with guidance from teachers who act as facilitators rather than directors.
At its core, Genius Hour is about student choice and voice. Each student selects a topic or problem they’re curious about, anything from animal conservation to robotics to writing a short story. From there, they craft a driving question and begin researching, experimenting, and planning their final product or presentation. Some students might build models or design websites, while others might paint, record a podcast, or produce a short film. The format is flexible, allowing students to use their strengths and develop new skills.
Throughout the process, students practice critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. These are the same skills they’ll need long after they leave the classroom. Importantly, students also learn how to work through challenges, revise their thinking, and reflect on their learning, a process that builds confidence and resilience.
The Genius Hour pilot will begin with fifth-grade classrooms across a few of our schools. Teachers will receive paid training and ongoing support from a team of instructional leaders. Schools will be given funding for project-related materials and resources. Students will work on their projects for up to three hours a month, with a celebration of learning at the end of each cycle where they can present their work to classmates, families, and even the school community.
We know that engagement looks different for every student. What Genius Hour does is provide a consistent structure that supports curiosity and independent thinking in a way that’s meaningful and personal. It gives students room to connect their learning to who they are and what they care about.
This pilot is part of a larger effort to reimagine how we meet students where they are and help them grow into thinkers, creators, and leaders. We’re eager to learn from this pilot, refine our approach, and, over time, expand the program to more grades and classrooms.
As Genius Hour takes root in our schools, we look forward to seeing what ideas spark, what questions are asked, and what discoveries are made, not just in student projects, but in how they see themselves as learners and contributors to their communities.
We’re proud to support our students in exploring the world through their own lens, and even more excited to see where their passions take them.