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For Students

Life changing & transformational

 
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Be the leader you are meant to be.

Navigating school and preparing for the future has never been more difficult, stressful or competitive. The Big Idea Project provides students with experiences to help shape their workforce readiness skills, social emotional growth and well-being. We develop Generous Leaders® who have the mindset, confidence, skills and knowledge to be their best in life and work after high school.

 
“I can make a difference”

What our BIP students are saying

When students see that they can do something about challenging social problems, they carry that confidence with them throughout life. We call this ‘entrepreneurial confidence.’ Big problems are not insurmountable. Big problems just need a creative idea and the will to make a difference.

 
 
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Shape your future

You want more than a class; you want a cause to believe in. Big Idea Project is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for in school.

We invite you to put aside academic requirements, tests and book assignments and instead lead your own learning through a semester-long project. Through the Big Idea Project you get to find a problem that others struggle with and solve it. You might care about stopping bullies, improving the way students in your school feel valued, changing the circumstances for a homeless family, ending suicide or something else. No cause or purpose is too small or too big.

You get to do work that matters and you get school credit to do it. At the end of your experience you will have the confidence, experience and leadership skills to be your best self and reach your goals.

 

How the Capstone Project Worked

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A Big Idea

Teams of 3-4 identified a social problem they cared about and came up with a way to help solve it

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Business Coach

Together with a business coach, teams created a plan for taking action

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Action

Students had the semester to work their plan and make their Big Idea come to life

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Presentation

At the end of the semester, teams created a storytelling video and presented their results

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Real World Relevance

Students created a real world portfolio to use with future employers and schools. Winning teams received college scholarships.

 
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Here’s what you’ll learn with your Big Idea Project team:

  • Confidence that you can solve challenging problems and get results
  • Job-relevant skills that many others lack
  • Service learning experience that colleges want
 
 

Key program outcomes

89 %

According to a pre and post survey that measures student skill development, 89% of students showed growth in one or more of the eight main leadership and workforce readiness measures.

94 %

More than 94% of educators agreed or strongly agreed that the Big Idea Project helped their students acquire valuable workforce and professional skills.

75 %

BIP is fulfilling its mission to unleash the potential of students. 75% of students agreed that BIP gave them the skills to help them unlock more of their potential.

83 %

More than 8 out of 10 students grew in empathy, a foundational skill for leadership and life. 83% of students agreed that as a result of participating it is easier to put themselves in others’ shoes.

81 %

BIP strengthens student well-being by reducing feelings of isolation. 81% of students said from their experience they learned that other students and their teacher support them and their goals. Nearly 90% of teachers agreed that the program improved their students’ overall well-being.

Source: Big Idea Project 2019 Impact Report

 

It was amazing to see the impact that a bunch of teenagers could make in the world. We see ourselves as being unable to do anything to make a difference until we’re older, and this project really changed that perspective.

– Student
 

Participating Schools

Don’t see your school and want Big Idea Project?

Great! Please tell your principal that you want to participate in the Big Idea Project (BIP) Program. Administrators must contact BIP to participate and can reach us here:

info@bigideaproject.org

 

FAQs for students

How can I participate in Big Idea Project?

Big Idea Project is implemented by certified local teachers, in their local classroom and in their local school. If your school does not offer Big Idea Project, talk to your principal or favorite teacher. Send them an email with this information.

How long is the project?

Big Idea Project is a semester-long experience. The amount of time you have to work on your project during class is determined by your teacher…

Do we get to choose our mentor?

Mentors are selected by the Big Idea Project and matched to teams by your teacher. Speak with your teacher if you have a specific request.

Does Big Idea Project provide scholarships?

Big Idea Project provides scholarships for students of the winning team from each school. Graduates have 18 months after graduation to claim their scholarship by completing the BIP scholarship request form. BIP will send the award check directly to the accredited college/university or trade school.

What happens after the project is over?

If we have your contact information, you will receive access to ongoing professional experiences, skills training, networking, collaboration with other alumni, events, service opportunities and much more.