text: Students tend to lead pretty similar academic careers. While it's true they're able to somewhat diversify their areas of study in high school, the required classes remain the same, and within them, the information students are required to learn. Summer is the one escape from the rigid and rigorous schedule they otherwise must always follow. It's the best time to allow them to explore their interests, and the assignment itself will impose less on their break if they're able to fill their time with something they're actually engaged in. It grants them freedom while simultaneously fulfilling their academic needs.