Brainstorm how you can help make a student an INDEPENDENT learner: Embrace Innovative programs. grasp the concept of rubric free, free-choice research projects. Spend time reassuring and working with students. Conduct a genius hour. Prepare the very young to get involved in genius hour research as a class, and help older students gain experience as a group before launching their own individual project within the same year. introduce genius hour. Allow students, as a class, to brainstorm ideas and vote on one topic to pursue.