2,893 Inspirational Passion Project Ideas
Turn inspirations into your passion project.
This collection of project ideas, shared by Polygence mentors, is meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.
- AI/ML
- Animation
- Arts
- Biology
- Biotech
- Business
- Cancer
- Chemistry
- Cognitive
- Computer Science
- Creative Writing
- Dance
- Dentistry
- Economics
- Engineering
- Entomology
- Environmental Science
- Ethics
- Fashion
- Finance
- Game Design
- Healthcare
- History
- Illustration
- Languages
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Math
- Medicine
- Music
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition
- Organizational Leadership
- Philanthropy
- Philosophy
- Photography
- Physics
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Quantitative
- Social
- Social Science
- Sports Analytics
- Statistics
- Surgery
Evolution of Eukaryotes - Plants, Animals, Fungi and more!
If you have ever wondered about evolution and how so many diverse life forms could have originated from a common ancestor, then this is the project for you! The last eukaryotic common ancestor lived billions of years ago and it is from this primitive organism that all of the macroscopic life we see around us is descended from. In this project, you will learn about the different characteristics that this ancestor must have possessed, and learn about different scientific models that explain how this evolution occurred. The limitations of these models will be discussed, as well as current research that is ongoing in this field. The project would culminate in either a research review style report or a short series of podcasts describing this topic and how it is relevant to modern understanding of biology.
Cancer, Ethics
A review of CRISPR as a technology
This project will aim to create a review of CRISPR in terms of its scientific history, its applications, its evolution as a technology, and the technology that has branched from it. The final product would be a written review article intended to serve as a resource for all-things-CRISPR, its possible future directions, and possible drawbacks and improvements that may come with the technology.
Cancer, Neuroscience
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Analysis of factors leading to MCI or other memory loss conditions with focus on both causes and prevention/treatment.
Biotech, Cancer, Neuroscience
Biomedical Device Design: Orthotics
Have an idea for a device you think might solve modern problems in medicine? Or maybe you see a solution to limitations in the devices we use every day. Learn how to identify design criteria, draft design blueprints, determine product relevance, perform patent searches, choose raw materials, and determine product relevance. Develop a product pitch and create a prototype!
Biology, Cancer, Engineering, Chemistry
Review of Gene Editing Technologies and Ethical Considerations
In this project, the student would learn the basic principles behind gene editing using CRISPR and what ethical concerns have been raised regarding genome editing. The benefits and limitations of the technology would be discussed, and an educated opinion would be formed on whether or not society should allow germ-line editing to occur. The project would culminate in either a research style report or a short series of podcasts describing the issue and how the student feels about the ethical concerns. The project could also encompass other ethical concerns more distantly related to gene editing, such as GMOs, stem cell research, or research on embryos.
Cancer, Ethics
CAR-T Targets
CAR-T cells are cells engineered to identify cancer cells and, through several mechanisms, lead to decreased cancer burden. Reviewing the mechanism of CAR-T cells and technology developments, we can propose a new CART-T cell target antigen and describe its process of research, development, and manufacture.
Biotech, Cancer
Cancer Treatment Review
In this project, students will identify a cancer of interest and perform a scientific literature review on the history of treatment for this specific type of cancer. Once the students have learned about the history of its treatment, the student will investigate current treatments and their level of effectiveness. Lastly, the students will then prepare a presentation for which they'll be able to share their findings!
Biology, Cancer
Scientific Review Paper on 'Reasons tumors are evading our immune system'
In this project, you will read scientific literature to research the various methods tumors use to evade our immune system. Ie. suppressive tumor microenvironment, decreased markers that typically allow immune cells to recognize it, inhibition of molecules that tell immune cells where to find the tumor, etc. This process will teach you the critical skills of finding, accessing, reading, and critically analyzing scientific literature and compiling it into a meaningful review of your own. These are critical skills to learning about new advances in any scientific field.
Biotech, Cancer
How do SARS-Cov2 variants differ from each other genetically?
We keep hearing about new and more transmissible variants of the SARS-Cov2 virus, but how are these variants different from the old ones? In this project, you will research the genetics of SARS-Cov2 and other viruses, download publicly available genetic sequences, and use these sequences to explore the evolutionary relationships of SARS-Cov2 variants. Prior coding experience is optional for this project. (Image source: https://www.jax.org/news-and-insights/2021/february/new-coronavirus-variants-spark-concerns)
Biology, Cancer
Mastering Diagnosis
In this project students would identify pathogens that cause similar patterns of disease and try to design novel diagnostic methods for making the correct diagnosis.
Cancer
Designing a Podcast
This kind of project allows you to create a dynamic to explore new topics through discussion, reflection, and commentary. The sky is the limit with what you would like to do with this. From deep dives into scientific topics to interviewing science-related people about their journeys, to reflecting on how science help us to understand the world around us and its limits, it can be a great way to experience and engage the scientific community.
Cancer
Understanding the role of Protein X in Disease Y
Review papers are a great way to synthesize information about a given subject. Focusing on the student's disease of choice, we would work to summarize existing literature and analyze where the field currently stands. We will also identify key areas that need continued innovations.
Biotech, Cancer, Engineering
Literature review on the gut-brain axis
The last decade has seen an enormous spike in research in a topic of immunology known as the 'gut-brain axis'. The gut-brain axis, sometimes referred to as the gut-microbiota-brain axis, is the bidirectional flow of information between the brain and gut. Our gut microbiota (microorganisms living in our gastrointestinal tract) communicate and regulate immune cells in our gut by the release of chemical messengers that tell cells how to behave. Immune cells in turn can produce their own chemical messengers that act on nearby cells or far away cells. In this way, positive and negative feedback loops keep us at homeostasis. This impacts the ability of immune cells to fight infections and prevent inflammation in response to the foods we eat. Furthermore, the gut is home to the enteric nervous system, part of the autonomic nervous system, that is sometimes called the 'second brain of the body'. The last decade of research has started to link the gut-brain-microbiota axis to many disease states, such as neuropsychiatric disorders (schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder) and neurodegenerative diseases (Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease). Ever feel sick to your stomach when you are stressed or anxious? A deep dive into the current literature about the gut-brain axis is a great way to integrate learning about immunology, neuroscience, and microbiology and fuel passion for future research questions.
Biotech, Cancer
Biotechnology Industry Evolution
How have we gotten from our first production of insulin to genetic engineering in order to provide personalized medicine? The field is extremely dynamic and evolving each day with the constant changes of the landscape. In this project, we will assess the company's in this field, how they propel the sector and where there are lags and barriers in order to find viable solutions to promote innovation and development.
Cancer, Neuroscience, Medicine
Education Gone Viral!
Produce a multimedia article about how viruses work - the article could include animations or stop motion videos or drawings, plus an explanation about the ways viruses function and an explanation of current virus research.
Cancer
Writing a fundable grant
Successful grant writing is an exceptionally important skill to have as an individual pursuing a career in science. It requires an ability to synthesize existing research in a field and identify gaps in current knowledge, while convincing a funding audience that your project goals are promising routes to fill those gaps. Early exposure to grant writing strategies and styles will be invaluable to any student, whether or not they continue on in a science carrier, as the root of success in this endeavor is clear, concise, and effective written communication. For this project, a student will choose research area of interest, spend ample time reading the primary literature, identify a topic of incomplete understanding in the field, and work to design a set of rigorous experiments to address that gap in knowledge. We'll look at successful grants and work to implement tactics of effective communication to leverage your research goals. Depending on future goals, you may be able to submit your grant to the appropriate funding agency with the intent of supporting an independent research project in you post secondary education!
Cancer
How can we cure cancer?
Cancer is one of the worlds leading causes of death. Scientists are developing many new treatments, but how do these work, and will they be able to help is in the goal to cure cancer? In this project, students will learn how to read and analyze scientific literature on new methods of treating cancer. This can result in a paper or presentation detailing new methods and future directions of the field.
Cancer
Have a startup idea? Interested in entrepreneurship? Let's pitch!
Do you have an idea, technology, or tool that you would like to see out in the market? Let's build out your startup plan and put together a 10-minute pitch deck!
Biotech, Cancer
2. Cancer therapy resistance:
Cancer is very difficult to treat, each cancer is different and they can quickly develop resistance to various treatments. In this project you can learn about cancer treatments, drug resistance and predictive biomarkers of resistance. It's all about personalized medicine. Through data-mining you will identify potential new markers of clinical therapy resistance.
Cancer
Adenosine Signaling Extravaganza
Adenosine is a really important molecule in biology! Did you know that adenosine is the rescue response to a cell's SOS signal when it's stressed? Or that caffeine works through adenosine receptors? Students will learn way past "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell" and do a deep dive into ATP/adenosine signaling in normal physiology and disease (cancer, inflammation, etc.). They will write a review article or make a poster/presentation about the broad scope of adenosine signaling. Alternatively, they could focus on one biological process or disease and create a paper or presentation about the contribution of adenosine. Students will learn about small molecules, enzymes, signaling cascades, receptors, and physiology. This project welcomes any student interested in biochemistry, cell signaling, and how cells handle stress!
Biotech, Biology, Cancer
