Blockchain Passion Project Proposal
Blockchain and Bitcoin as a Cryptocurrency – The Future of Money
Why I Chose This Topic:
I chose Blockchain because cryptocurrency is revolutionizing the way people think about money, banking, and technology. Some view it as the future of finance, while others believe that criminals use it and that it is too unstable to trust. I want to understand how Bitcoin works, why it became so popular, and what it could mean for the world’s financial systems. The primary objective of this passion project is to simplify a complex topic and present it in a way that people with no prior knowledge of Blockchain can understand.
Guiding Question:
How is Blockchain changing the way people use and understand money?
Research Plan
To answer my question, I will research Bitcoin using multiple reliable sources. I plan to use the book The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking by Saifedean Ammous, which explains the history of money and how Bitcoin compares to traditional systems. I own the book. I will also use online articles, financial news sites, and documentaries. My research will focus on:
The history of Bitcoin
Advantages (security, independence, limited supply)
Disadvantages (price volatility, scams, environmental concerns)
The future of cryptocurrency in global finance
Format of Final Product:
I will create a dynamic multimedia presentation, including slides and infographics, to bring the story of Bitcoin and blockchain to life. My goal is to make these ideas clear, visually compelling, and relevant for anyone curious about the future of money.
Skills I Will Use and Develop:
Research skills: finding and analyzing both books and digital sources
Critical thinking: weighing the benefits and risks of Bitcoin
Communication: presenting a complex financial idea in a clear way
Creativity: designing visuals that make the topic interesting and easy to understand
Connection to Passion:
I am interested in exploring the connections between money, technology, and society. Bitcoin is a topic that combines all three, making it both challenging and exciting to study. Learning about it will help me better understand the future of finance while sharing that knowledge with others.
Timeline
Week 1: Watch an introductory documentary about Blockchain, such as “Banking on Bitcoin,” and begin reading to understand the basics of blockchain technology.
Week 2: Continue reading The Bitcoin Standard and take notes on the history of money, how trust is established in financial systems, and the origins of Bitcoin.
Week 3: Continue reading the book while researching how blockchain works as a decentralized ledger. Create a clear diagram showing how transactions are verified and recorded.
Week 4: Study different real-world applications of blockchain beyond Bitcoin, such as smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi). Compare their strengths and weaknesses, documenting how they change traditional financial systems.
Week 5: Finish reading The Bitcoin Standard and begin creating an infographic that explains how Bitcoin transactions work, including wallets, addresses, and confirmations.
Week 6: Research the main criticisms of Bitcoin and blockchain, including volatility, scams, lack of regulation, and environmental debates. Start outlining these downsides in writing.
Week 7: Investigate Bitcoin’s adoption in different countries, such as El Salvador, and analyze how it is being integrated into banking systems and economies. Attempt to interview someone knowledgeable in the cryptocurrency space.
Week 8: Draft a rough version of presentation slides and visuals, summarizing key learnings about Bitcoin and blockchain so far.
Week 9: Refine research notes and create a mind map or visual summary of Bitcoin’s future potential, including innovations like the Lightning Network and broader blockchain use cases.
Week 10: Finalize presentation slides, complete the infographic, and begin practicing a TED Talk–style presentation.
Week 11: Record video or audio elements of the final presentation, revise content based on self-review and peer feedback, and rehearse delivery for clarity and confidence.
Week 12: Submit the completed TED Talk, upload all supporting materials to the project folder, and reflect on overall insights about Bitcoin and blockchain technology.
I will document my progress through a dedicated website and blog, sharing regular updates, visuals, and reflections. This online platform will not only track my learning journey but also invite feedback and questions from a broader audience.
Connections to the English curriculum:
To complete my passion project, I will read “The Bitcoin Standard: A Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking” by Saifedean Ammous. This book is one of the best books about Bitcoin. In addition to the book, I will read further articles from reliable sources, such as CoinDesk.
Writing:
Brainstorming the key points and the bottom line after reading the book. I will document the growth of Blockchain and how it has become so successful, as well as who is thought to be the creator of Bitcoin. Satoshi Nakamoto. What the orange pill is. What a fish is, what a whale is. In Crypto. I will make notes on sticky notes on the pages of the book.
Media
Technology: Mac laptop, smartphone, Google Slides, and iMovie to create the YouTube video.
Formats: blog posts, infographics, diagrams, short videos/Reels, TED Talk–style video.
Skills to develop: website/blog design, video editing, clear visual communication, and a deep understanding of blockchain and its impact.
Challenges: simplifying complex info and time management.
Oral Communication:
I will share my findings and reflections through blog posts, a YouTube video presentation, and possibly a podcast interview with a cryptocurrency expert. By sending the website link to classmates, friends, and family, I will encourage dialogue and feedback beyond the classroom.