June 25, 2026
Term Project Week is a special tradition across all BASIS Independent Schools. At BASIS Independent Bellevue, Project Week is a much anticipated time on campus by teachers and students alike. After a year of learning, studying, and exams, the teachers are eager to create projects around their passions and share them with students. Term Project Week provides a space for students to discover new passions through multidisciplinary projects.
When walking around campus during Project Week you might see students learning how to line dance, while other students are building volcanoes as they learn about Pompeii, and some students may even be designing and building their own race cars. The excitement of Project Week isn’t limited to projects on campus, but expands into the community as well. This year we had students who got to learn about the intertidal zone and explore three different beaches in the Puget Sound. Beyond that we have groups of students who will be traveling to Alaska, France, and Norway for their Project Week.
Take a look at some of the projects we had this year and see what happens when students have the opportunity to explore passions and delve into creative projects.
Wearable Art Studio: Become a Fashion Designer
This project was led by Ms. Tseng and Ms. Haugen for students in grades 3–5. Students got to create custom totes bags, hats, and bandanas using printmaking, fabric paint, and tie-dye techniques. Their project culminated with a runway showcase where the designers got to debut their one-of-a-kind creations!
Chinese Cooking Camp
Ms. Pan and Ms. Chen, two of our Subject Expert Teachers in Mandarin, took students in grades 3–4 on a fun and flavorful journey into the world of Chinese cooking. During this project students used their team work skills to prepare vegetables, meat, and other ingredients. All of the students had a blast growing their confidence in the kitchen. But the best part of this project — trying and sharing the delicious food they created with friends!
Splish Splash
Ms. E-E and Ms. Rieger left campus behind for Project Week and took a group of grade 6–8 students to explore different forms of outdoor exercise, including hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding. This group of students loved immersing themselves in nature for the week and admiring the beauty of the lakes and forests that are in their own backyard. A highlight of this project was getting to see a turtle in its natural habitat!
Rome 3-D Model Lab
In this project students in grade 7–10 became Roman architects and city planners for the week, as they reconstructed the monuments of the ancient world. Students learned how the Romans designed their cities and the engineering and architectural techniques that made Rome famous. Students then worked in teams to create detailed models of famous Roman monuments, using physical materials and digital tools.
Fiber Arts
Many students in grades 5–10 chose to explore the colorful world of weaving, led by Ms. Dreskin. Students got to explore texture and pattern as they built their own unique woven pieces with yarn and other creative fibers. Artists got to learn weaving techniques, as wells as knotting, fringe, and mixed-material details.
Erupting History: Build a Volcano and Discover Pompeii
Another group of grade 3–5 students explored the history and science behind the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Students analyzed archaeological evidence and created their very own working volcano models of Mount Vesuvius. Getting to make the volcanoes erupt was a highlight for all!
Term Project Week is a cherished tradition at BASIS Independent Bellevue that highlights the joyful learning culture we nurture on our campus. We are grateful for our teachers who work hard to create engaging projects and our students who consistently bring their passion, innovation, and creativity into each project.
