Are you looking for ways to balance gifted learners’ unique passions with Arizona’s rigorous academic standards? Gifted students often crave opportunities to explore their interests deeply, yet educators must also ensure alignment with required benchmarks. This session provides strategies to merge both, using interest-based learning and frameworks such as Andi McNair's 6Ps of Genius Hour (Passion, Plan, Pitch, Project, Product, and Presentation). Participants will examine practical methods for fostering curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving while ensuring growth in core content areas. Attendees will explore real-world examples that demonstrate how to design engaging projects, empower student voice, and cultivate authentic products and presentations. Educators will leave with actionable tools to help students explore, innovate, and thrive—achieving personalized, meaningful, and relevant academic growth while excelling within Arizona’s standards.