13 School Projects That Crossed the Line
These shocking school projects show how educational intentions can go too far, crossing ethical, emotional, and cultural lines.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
While hands-on learning can be powerful, some school projects have pushed boundaries in the worst ways. These real-life classroom assignments sparked controversy, trauma, and even national headlines. From reenacting slave auctions to writing fake suicide notes, the line between creative education and harmful experience is one educators must tread carefully.
1. The “Slave Auction” Simulation – New Jersey, USA
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In 2017, a fifth-grade teacher asked Black students to pretend to be slaves in a mock auction. White students were encouraged to “buy” them as part of a history lesson. The exercise was immediately condemned as racially insensitive and traumatic.
2. Nazi Propaganda Poster Assignment – California, USA
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In 2019, an eighth-grade student was asked to make Nazi propaganda posters to learn about persuasive messaging. One student drew Hitler with a swastika and the slogan “Join the Nazis.” The school received national backlash for allowing hate symbols in a classroom context.
3. Fake Deportation Notices – Indiana, USA
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A high school Spanish class handed out mock deportation notices to simulate immigration policies. Students were terrified, especially those from immigrant families. The school later apologized for the “hands-on” approach that went too far.
4. “Build a Bomb” Math Assignment – Pennsylvania, USA
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In 2018, a math teacher gave students a worksheet that required solving equations to “build a bomb.” Parents were stunned that terrorism was used as a theme for algebra. The teacher was put on leave after public outcry.
5. Holocaust Diary Roleplay – Texas, USA
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Students were asked to write diaries from the perspective of Holocaust victims — and even perpetrators. Some were told to “imagine life as a Nazi soldier.” Critics said it minimized the horrors of genocide and risked desensitizing students.
6. Mock Trial of God – Canada
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In a literature class, students conducted a mock trial where they put God on trial for crimes against humanity. Religious parents were offended, calling it blasphemous. The school defended it as a critical thinking exercise but later revised the curriculum.
7. Sexually Explicit Poetry Assignment – Georgia, USA
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A high school English teacher had students analyze and write poems that included adult themes and explicit language. Parents were horrified when students read them aloud in class. The teacher was suspended for inappropriate content.
8. Dress as a Stereotype Day – Oregon, USA
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The spirit week activity encouraged students to “dress as a stereotype,” supposedly to spark discussions about bias. Some dressed in racist or sexist caricatures. The administration canceled the event mid-morning due to backlash.
9. Bring a Fake Baby to School – Nationwide, USA
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Part of a common teen pregnancy awareness program, students carry around robotic crying babies. But some schools took it further, publicly shaming students who “failed” by giving them bad grades or making them wear signs. Critics argued it punished rather than educated.
10. Build Your Own Concentration Camp – UK
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In 2010, a UK teacher asked students to create models of Nazi concentration camps for a history class. One student built a Lego version complete with guard towers. Holocaust educators condemned it as dehumanizing and wildly inappropriate.
11. “Brown Eyes vs. Blue Eyes” Reenactment – Missouri, USA
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A teacher attempted to recreate Jane Elliott’s famous experiment by dividing students based on eye color. But students reported feeling bullied and confused without proper context or support. Parents said it caused psychological distress instead of fostering empathy.
12. Create Your Own Religion – Australia
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Students were tasked with inventing a religion complete with origin stories, rituals, and deities. Some invented bizarre or offensive beliefs that mocked real ones. Religious groups pushed back, saying the project lacked respect for faith.
13. Suicide Notes in Health Class – California, USA
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As part of a mental health awareness lesson, students were told to write hypothetical suicide notes. Parents were outraged, especially those with children struggling with depression. The school quickly pulled the assignment after public complaints.