Students at Barkley Bridge Elementary recently explored their interests and worked on projects to help the community throughout the school year.

Students explored areas of art, robotics, nature, sports, cooking, animals and more – and created service opportunities in their areas.

Jamie Dutton, library media specialist who helped organize the projects throughout the year, said it was a way for students to grow in their passions and in acts of service. “We decided to do passion projects because we really wanted to start some things the children could be able to find that they love and dig into it a little deeper,” Dutton said. “Then we decided to move forward to make the passion into compassion projects. They take their passion and turn it into something that shows compassion for others or helps others.”

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Students worked on various projects throughout the year. Some students grew a garden for the school that will be used next year for fresh fruits and vegetables. Others worked to make sunshine boxes full of art supplies for children in hospitals. One group raised money to help a local family build a fence for their dog that was previously tethered. They also went before the city council to propose an ordinance that would ban tethering.

Dutton said she hopes the students were able to learn how to use their interests to help others. “I hope they were able to explore their passions a little deeper,” she added. “We know that we all have our interests, but if you explore it, you are able to do something with it. They are actually helping someone else – not only thinking of themselves but others – and how they can be world-changers.”