text: A student-designed summer project would mean that the student could pick whatever topic they choose, and carry it out however they choose. Having set guidelines from a teacher can box in one's imagination. Summer is the time for people to explore and do things that interest them, if a teacher gives out a topic for each student, it might not be what the students are drawn to and their potential for a great project could slip away. It is so much easier and more fun to do a project that you are passioniate about, instead of one that you are only doing for a grade.