You just watched a video about doing things differently this year. This challenge is where that actually starts. No pressure, no right answers, just a genuine look at what excites you and what you’re curious about.
Capture what genuinely excites you about this year, before the year gets busy and you forget.
By the end of this challenge, you’ll produce one short, honest piece capturing your real starting point, what excites you, what you’re curious about, and one small thing you’re genuinely willing to try. Every step feeds into your final piece.
The Shape of This Challenge
Discover
✏️ ️ Light, curious
Explore
️ Focused, rising
Create
✏️ Deep, the peak
Reflect
️ Calm, close
Discover
Step 1
What Excites You, Honestly?
✏️ Paper first
We are learning tonotice what genuinely excites us, not what we think we should say.
Example: not ‘learning is fun,’ but ‘I actually want to try making a video that doesn’t look terrible.’
Your task: Grab paper and write down one thing about this year that genuinely excites you, even a small thing. Be honest, not impressive.
3 to 5 minutes.
I canname one thing that genuinely excites me about this year.
→ This becomes part of your evidence in Step 5
Self-AwarenessReflection
Step 2
Where Does Tech Already Show Up?
️ Talk it through
We are learning tonotice how technology already shapes an ordinary day, not just school.Your task: Talk with a partner: name 3 ways technology already shaped your day before you even got to school.
4 to 6 minutes.
I cannotice at least 2 real ways technology already shapes my day.
→ This becomes part of your evidence in Step 5
CommunicationDigital Citizenship
Explore
Step 3
Set One Real Intention
️ Hands-on reflection
We are learning toset one genuine, personal intention, not a vague goal.Your task: Write one small, specific thing you’re genuinely willing to try this year, digital, creative, or otherwise. Small and real beats big and vague.
4 to 6 minutes.
I canset one small, genuine intention for this year.
→ This becomes the centre of your final piece in Step 5
Self-ManagementSelf-Awareness
Step 4
One Thing You’re Curious About
️ Talk it through
We are learning toidentify a genuine question we’re curious about, not just a topic.Your task: Talk with a partner: what’s one question about technology, AI, or the future you’re genuinely curious about? Not something you know the answer to, something you actually wonder about.
4 to 6 minutes.
I canname one genuine question I’m curious about.
→ This becomes part of your evidence in Step 5
CuriosityCommunication
✨
Create
Step 5
Make Your Case
✏️ Plan on paper, then make it
We are learning toturn our honest starting point into one finished, genuine piece.
Example: a poster might simply say ‘This year I’m genuinely curious about…’ with your real answer.
Before you touch a device: plan your opening line on paper. Then choose ONE format: Blog post (200 to 300 words, around 25 min), Presentation (2 to 3 slides, around 25 min), Poster (one page, 30 to 40 words, around 25 min), or Video (30 to 60 seconds, around 30 min).
Blog post
200 to 300 words
around 25 minutes
Presentation
2 to 3 slides, 20 to 25 words per slide max
around 25 minutes
Poster
one page, roughly 30 to 40 words total
around 25 minutes
Video
30 to 60 seconds
around 30 minutes
25 to 30 minutes, depending on the format you choose.
I cancapture my genuine starting point in one finished piece.
Content CreationSelf-Awareness
Step 6
Reflect, Apply, Look Forward
️ Talk, quietly and calmly
We are learning tosit with our own starting point before moving on.Your task: Talk through these with someone, or yourself. Reflect: Was it harder or easier than you expected to be honest? Apply: Does writing it down change how real it feels? Look forward: Come back to this at the end of the year and see what changed.
To reflect honestly on what excites and worries me about this year
To notice how technology already shapes my everyday life
To set one genuine, personal intention for this year
To capture this starting point clearly, for myself as much as anyone else
Digital Skills
Self-Reflection, Digital Writing
Meta Skills
Communication, Content Creation, Curiosity, Digital Citizenship, Reflection, Self-Awareness, Self-Management
Why This Matters
Being honest about where you're actually starting from, excitement and worries both, is the same skill professionals use when starting any new project or role. It's not soft, it's how you actually track real growth.
Success Looks Like
I can name one thing I'm genuinely excited about this year
I can notice at least 2 ways technology already shapes my day
I can set one small, honest intention for this year
I can capture my starting point in a finished piece
Evidence and Presentation Options
Blog post (200 to 300 words), Presentation (2 to 3 slides, 20 to 25 words per slide max), Poster (one page, roughly 30 to 40 words total), Video (30 to 60 seconds)
Next steps
Keep whatever you make today somewhere safe, you'll want to look back at it later in the year.
Tools and Links
Google Docs or paper for notes.
DexAI Study Partner
* Click to generate
Hi! I'm Dex, your AI Study Partner. Ask me a question, attach a screenshot, test your skills with Quiz, or click Mastery for feedback!
Screenshot attached
🔒 Built with Google Gemini as a Study Partner trained strictly on this challenge content. No personal data is stored or shared.
To reflect honestly on what excites and worries me about this year
To notice how technology already shapes my everyday life
To set one genuine, personal intention for this year
To capture this starting point clearly, for myself as much as anyone else
Digital Skills
Self-Reflection, Digital Writing
Meta Skills
Communication, Content Creation, Curiosity, Digital Citizenship, Reflection, Self-Awareness, Self-Management
Why This Matters
Being honest about where you're actually starting from, excitement and worries both, is the same skill professionals use when starting any new project or role. It's not soft, it's how you actually track real growth.
Success Looks Like
I can name one thing I'm genuinely excited about this year
I can notice at least 2 ways technology already shapes my day
I can set one small, honest intention for this year
I can capture my starting point in a finished piece
Evidence and Presentation Options
Blog post (200 to 300 words), Presentation (2 to 3 slides, 20 to 25 words per slide max), Poster (one page, roughly 30 to 40 words total), Video (30 to 60 seconds)
Next steps
Keep whatever you make today somewhere safe, you'll want to look back at it later in the year.
Age, Stage and Prior Learning: S1-S3. No prior digital experience needed, this is a genuine warm welcome, not a skills test.
Before You Start: Works well paired directly with the Doing Things Differently welcome video and the Sails and Anchors activity, if you're running those the same day.
How to Open This: "You just watched a video about doing things differently this year. This is where that actually starts, right now, with you."
Scheduling: This is a short, light opener, roughly 25 to 30 minutes total. Works well as the very first thing pupils do, before anything else in this series.
If a Pupil Gets Stuck: If a pupil is unsure what excites them, ask what they're most looking forward to outside school this term, then connect it back.
For Fast Finishers: Ask fast finishers to write one line to their future self, to read again at the end of the year.
Marking Guidance: There is no right answer here. Look for honesty and specificity, not enthusiasm for its own sake.
