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Browse project ideas by Polygence mentors
From DNA to RNA: How Epigenetic Regulation Controls Gene Expression
How does a cell decide which genes to turn on or off? In this project, you will explore how epigenetic mechanisms regulate gene expression and how these processes influence neuronal function. You could investigate the relationship between DNA methylation, chromatin structure, transcription, and RNA production, with a particular focus on RNA biology and non-coding RNAs in the brain. Depending on your interests, the project could focus on a specific biological process, brain region, or neurological condition and could culminate in a focused literature review, scientific research paper, or research proposal describing a hypothesis and experimental approach. Keywords: epigenetics, epigenomics, gene regulation, gene expression, molecular biology, RNA biology, non-coding RNA, transcription, DNA methylation, chromatin, neuroscience, neurobiology, experimental design.
Biology
From Genes to Brain Disease: How Epigenetic Dysregulation Contributes to Neurodegeneration
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease arise from complex interactions between genetics, aging, environment, and changes in brain cells. In this project, you will investigate how alterations in epigenetic regulation and gene expression may contribute to neurodegeneration. You could choose one disease and explore changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin accessibility, or non-coding RNA regulation in affected brain regions. The project could result in a focused literature review comparing findings across studies, an analysis of publicly available genomic or transcriptomic datasets, or a research proposal exploring whether an epigenetic mechanism could serve as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target. Keywords: neuroscience, neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epigenetics, epigenomics, DNA methylation, chromatin, gene regulation, non-coding RNA, transcriptomics, genomics, biomarkers, therapeutics.
Biology
The effects of sepsis in the brain (beginner research paper)
This project explores how a severe systemic infection such as sepsis can affect the brain during illness and recovery. Students will learn about neuroinflammation, immune-brain communication, the blood-brain barrier, and how factors such as aging may influence neurological outcomes following systemic infection. They will also develop skills in scientific literature searching, critical analysis, data interpretation, and scientific communication. The student will identify and evaluate scientific literature related to sepsis-associated brain dysfunction and long-term neurological outcomes. Depending on the student's interests, they may focus on a specific topic such as microglial activation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, cognitive impairment, or aging. Students may also examine a small, curated set of transcriptomic findings to learn how changes in gene expression can be connected to biological mechanisms. Potential final products include a scientific research paper, literature review, research proposal, scientific poster, or science communication article about the effects of sepsis on the brain.
Neuroscience, Psychology
Research Paper/Podcast: How Trauma Manifests Itself in the Courtroom
This project would explore the relationship between trauma, criminal behavior, and the legal system. You could research how trauma influences behavior, how it is presented in the courtroom, and how the justice system responds to individuals with traumatic experiences. You could also examine the sociological effects of criminal behavior, including courtroom procedures, sentencing, incarceration, and recidivism. You could present their research through a research paper, podcast, or both. For example, they could investigate whether childhood trauma contributes to criminal behavior and recidivism, analyze how trauma is considered during sentencing, or examine a real court case involving trauma.
Social
5. Bio-Inspired Atmospheric Vacuum Pump for Low-Energy Groundwater Extraction
This project lets students explore a biomimicry-inspired approach to a real-world water scarcity problem. Students will investigate how tall trees and plants draw water upward through negative pressure (transpiration pull) and translate that principle into a low-cost, low-tech vacuum pump design for pulling groundwater to the surface, learning fundamentals of atmospheric pressure, fluid dynamics, and pump mechanics along the way. The research process involves studying the biological mechanism behind plant water transport, reviewing existing manual/vacuum-based pump designs, building a prototype from accessible materials based on open-source tutorials, and testing its ability to draw water from varying depths and flow rates. The expected outcome is a working prototype paired with a written report or publication documenting the design rationale, build process, and performance data — with an option to also produce a short explainer video connecting the biomimicry concept to the engineering solution for a broader audience!
AI/ML
4. DIY Solar Parabolic Cooker Build and Evaluation
In this project, students are introduced to concentrated solar power and solar energy applications through a DIY, hands-on, low-cost device. Students will design and construct a parabolic solar cooker from low-cost, accessible materials, learning the basics of solar geometry (angle of incidence, focal point calculations), reflective material selection, and heat transfer principles. The research process involves reviewing existing parabolic cooker designs/approaches, building and refining a prototype based on existing tutorials, and running structured tests to evaluate performance (e.g., time to boil water, max temperature reached, cooking time for different foods) across different conditions like time of day or cloud cover. Depending on the student's interest, the final output can be a demonstration video showing the build process and cooking tests in action, or a written report/publication documenting the design iterations, testing methodology, and performance results.
AI/ML
3. AI-Based Air Quality Monitoring for School Sports Locker Rooms
This project lets students explore how machine learning and microcontrollers like Raspberry Pi can be used for practical, everyday environmental health problems. Students will learn how to collect air quality data (e.g., humidity, VOCs, particulate matter) using low-cost sensors, build a dataset, and apply basic AI/machine learning techniques to detect patterns or predict poor air quality conditions (e.g., linked to mold risk, staph, or lingering bacterial odors). The research process includes selecting appropriate sensors, setting up a data collection pipeline, exploring relevant ML models (e.g., simple classification or anomaly detection), and evaluating model performance against real-world readings. The expected outcome is a working prototype system (sensor + basic AI model/dashboard) paired with a short technical write-up or presentation explaining the approach and findings.
AI/ML
2. Designing a Low-Tech Solar-Powered Egg Hatchery
This project introduces students to renewable energy applications for agriculture in resource-constrained settings. Students will learn how to design and build a low-cost incubator that uses solar energy (direct or thermal storage) to maintain stable temperature and humidity for hatching eggs, gaining hands-on experience with basic thermodynamics, heat transfer, solar energy capture, and simple passive control/monitoring systems. The research process includes studying incubation temperature/humidity requirements, replicating existing low-tech hatchery designs, building a prototype, and running test cycles to evaluate hatch rates and thermal stability. The expected outcome is a written publication (e.g., a research report or article) documenting the design process, testing methodology, and results, which could be shared with agricultural development or appropriate-tech research communities.
AI/ML
1. Turning Plastic Waste into 3D Printer Filament
This project sits at the intersection of materials science and waste management/recycling. Students will explore how waste plastics (like PET bottles - empty soda bottles / water bottles etc.) can be cleaned, cut, and extruded into usable 3D printing filament, learning the basics of polymer properties, extrusion mechanics, and quality control (consistent diameter, no bubbles/brittleness). The research process involves reviewing and replicating existing DIY filament extruder techniques, evaluating the system's performance, and iterating based on print quality results. Depending on the student's interest, the final output can be a short, engaging STEM tutorial video (e.g., TikTok or YouTube Shorts style) documenting the build and testing process, or a more formal write-up suitable for a science fair or publication, depending on the rigor of testing the student wants to pursue.
AI/ML
Research Paper: How Likes on Instagram Affects the Self-Esteem of Teenagers
For my AP Research class in high school, I developed an academic research paper and presentation examining the relationship between social media use and self-esteem. Because this project was so meaningful and instructive for me, I'd love to lead a current high schooler through a similar process to explore the sociological and psychological effects of social media on their own age group. Through conducting research and analyzing existing findings, students will gain a deeper understanding of how the internet can influence individuals and shape broader social behaviors. Or the project could examine how social media and internet use affect the mental health of another age group, allowing you as a student to explore a relevant issue while developing your research, analytical, and presentation skills!
Social