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
Application Essays
I have worked with high school students, community college students, university students, ESL students, and non-traditional students, helping them draft and refine cover letters, resumes, CVs, personal statements, college application essays, scholarship/grant application essays, and more. I can help you make an impression, and create a memorable and persuasive piece of writing. For instance, if you want to apply to a scholarship, we’d start by reviewing the guidelines and your application materials. Next, we’d brainstorm topics for your application essay. Then we’d look for ways to connect your narrative with the skills the organization/ committee is looking for in potential applicants, and describe the opportunities this scholarship would provide you. Finally, we’d review and revise your essay so that it met the application requirements.
Literature, Creative Writing
Practicing Boundaries at x school
Developing the ability to set and respect boundaries is a vital social skill that often is neglected within formal education spaces. In this study, we are going to survey students at X high school about their knowledge and use of different types of boundaries (emotional, physical, material, etc.). We will then introduce students to a curriculum focused on supporting individuals in identifying, setting, sharing, and respecting boundaries. After two weeks, participants will receive a second survey about their knowledge and use of different types of boundaries (emotional, physical, material, etc.). At this time, participants will be invited to participate in an interview to discuss these topics further. We will use this information to measure the success of our intervention and to finalize a shareable curriculum that will include quotations and findings from our study.
Psychology, Literature, Business
Poetry
Whether you're a new poet and want to write your first poems or are hoping to develop a poetry collection, we'll work together to identify your needs. We'll study the craft of poetry, different formal poems, the line break, sound, and engage with poetry more deeply.
Engineering, Literature, Math, Creative Writing
Intertextuality: When Books Read Each Other
Some novels inspire other novels. Others make reference to older books and critique them outright. When this happens, there are many kinds of reading going on. The student will select a set of literary works in conversation with each other and “listen in.” How does one book read another, and what happens when we read both? The aim of the project is to immerse ourselves in a literary tradition, perhaps across continents and languages, and emerge having spoken.
Arts, History, Literature, Languages
Music evolution through the decades: Analyzing the history of your favorite music genre
Students could pick their favorite genre of music, for example Hip-Hop, Jazz, Rap, RnB, etc., and learn about the history of this genre, including key artists who influenced the genre, cities where the genre was developed, and different styles and phases the genre went through. Students could analyze different societal factors, like political climate, racial tension and community structures, that impacted music production during each time period. The student would have the opportunity to pick the genre, decide what elements of the genre to focus on analyzing, and put their research together in a unique artistic representation (website, blog, social media account, collage).
Psychology, Arts, History, Literature, Social Science, Organizational Leadership
Blogging
Creating a blog or web series related to expressing your ideas about an author or artist ("Why was Picasso revolutionary to the art world?", a historical time period ("What did 19th century France look, sound, and smell like?"), a cultural phenomenon ("How did World War II impact the policies of the Louvre museum in Paris?")
Literature, Creative Writing
What Difference Does Translation Make?
In the age of instant translation, what is the point of literary translation? Is it on the way out? Taking one central text, we compare both existing published translations and instant translations. We ask what translation aims to do and how it “works.” At the end of 10 sessions, we’ll either be vindicated or we’ll let Google take it from here.
Arts, History, Literature, Languages
How to do Nothing
Activities and reflections geared around "doing nothing". To find cracks and gaps in a busy day to be nothing: not a student, not a sibling, not a friend, not even a member of society. Just be nothing. Just exist and everything else with unfold by itself. Do "nothing" and see what "somethings" can happen!
Philosophy, Psychology, Literature, Creative Writing
How to Read Theory
Is there a theoretical work that you've always wanted to read but have never had the opportunity to? This project will give you that chance! Together, we will work through a text of your choosing and discuss how to talk about and how to read theory.
Arts, History, Literature, Social Science
"History is Written by Victors"
Choose one event in history that you are interested in. Research three different memorials, monuments, or museums dedicated to this event. This is a good opportunity to examine bias in historical records and public memory—what gets remembered and what is lost over time? What is important to people now versus what was important to people in the past? Who is history written for?
Arts, History, Literature, Creative Writing, Social Science
Perspectives on and Interventions for Well-Being: A Cultural Comparison
This project seeks to answer the age-old question: how can we become happier? What behaviors are scientifically proven to increase happiness and wellness, and who benefits from them? There's been tons of research on upper-class American populations, but what about other cultures? How do different cultures conceive of well-being differently, and do they act differently to increase happiness?
Social, Psychology, Literature, Creative Writing
The Vulnerable (aka "Personal") Essay
This project is two-pronged: you can explore creative writing as a budding interest (or consider it as a more serious pursuit) AND lay the foundation for your college personal statements. The essay takes many forms, but the one you're likely most familiar with is the argumentative essay. In this project, we'll study a variety of personal essays that lean from academic in tone to those that are incredibly intimate. Drawing inspiration from our readings and discussions, this project will result in your own personal essay as you learn more about yourself and what you feel is worth writing about and sharing with the world. Prerequisites: - a willingness to be vulnerable (both verbally and on the page) and take constructive criticism - a willing commitment to a long-term, emotionally challenging project that demands several revisions - ability to read 2–3 essays per week - a working familiarity with personal essay-writing and reading (experimental) essays is helpful but not required
Literature, Creative Writing
Create a Video Essay
A fantastic way to learn about the toolbox of a filmmaker is through film analysis. Is there a specific aspect of filmmaking you’d like to learn more about? Perhaps how different shot sizes (close ups, mediums, wide shots) convey different meanings to audiences? Or maybe how television shows structure their pilot episodes to hook you into watching a whole season? We’ll pick a filmmaking technique that interests you, and analyze how one of your favorite films or television shows utilizes it. You will culminate the project in a video essay breaking down and explaining what you have learned!
Arts, Literature
Science Fiction vs. Science Fact: Connecting Sci-fi Literature with Scientific Theory
This could be a project for someone with an interest in both science and literature. The student could begin by identifying a group of short stories or a novel written in the sci-fi genre, choosing a writer who had/has a reputation for being "scientifically accurate" or at least partially so. It would be interesting to look into the ways that a literary figure incorporates science into a work or works. Does the author use a lot of jargon? Is this based on research he/she did, or does the author have a science background? Or if the student chooses a film, how accurate is that film to theory? An example might be the film Interstellar, about which a book has been written on the science of the film. There are some filmmakers who hire scientists to help them tell an accurate story if possible. A project of this type could identify the areas of overlap or highlight improbabilities created for dramatic effect. When does the science enhance the storytelling? When does it "interfere" with what the author wants to give the audience? These are some interesting concepts that could entice a researcher who has an interest in literature and science.
Literature, Creative Writing
Ext. Forest - Day
Have an interest in writing your own short or feature-length script? In this project, we'll look at the differences between literary and visual storytelling. First, we'll cover how to properly format a film script and the free online apps you can use to write your first movie. Then we'll discuss the story you want to create, who your characters are, what goals they want to achieve, and what fatal flaws and antagonists are getting in their way. Is your main character someone we're supposed to like, or are they an anti-hero? After getting a sense of the story, we'll plot it into the three-act structure. What is your inciting incident? What is their saving the cat moment? What is your rising action and midpoint? What happens at the climax? Next, we'll practice how to write visually. And then, you'll start writing your very own script! Finally, we'll discuss how to edit your script and what steps you need to take to submit your script to film festivals and studios.
Literature, Creative Writing
Exploring the applications of spintronics technology
In this project, students would explore real-life applications of spintronics technology, a cutting edge and rapidly evolving field of research. By looking into fundamental research that has happened throughout the past years as well as reading into recent papers that have been published, students can give an overview of the overall topic, as well as potentially propose their own ideas or applications.
Ethics, Physics, Arts, Engineering, Literature
Wellness Fun - Public Service Announcement
As a result of the pandemic, wellness is on everyone's mind. In this project, you will develop a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about a fun wellness technique for students your age. Topics can range from " Getting outside into nature" to "the benefits of yoga". This process will teach you how to research wellness trends for your age group, develop a media presentation (Instagram story, TikTok video, or Powerpoint, etc) to promote this trend and disseminate your findings with your school or community. You will gain skills in writing, editing, communication, researching scientifically backed wellness trends and engaging your peers in fun activities!
History, Literature, Languages, Public Health
Representation or Erasure of the Poor in Contemporary American Literature
American Literature in the past has often romanticized, dehumanized, or ignored the poor. Your potential research question: Has the literature in the current century continued this literary tradition? You'll start by researching, reading and writing synopses of credible and current non-fiction texts (ie. "Poverty, By America" by Matthew Desmond) that address the history and the current state of poverty and the systemic ways US policy contributes to poverty and keeps poor people poor. Next you'll explore current fiction (ie. "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez or "Demon Copperhead" by Barbara Kingsolver). You'll use primary and secondary sources in your investigation, using the novel as the historical artifact to prove your thesis. From your research, you will analyze, in an essay, how contemporary fiction (either a particular novel or short story or a comparison of two) portrays poverty and question the author's characterization of the poor and evaluate the impact or efficacy of such a portrayal. You'll incorporate your research, while maintaining your own informed voice. The process will include outlining, drafting, revising, editing and polishing. After completion you may pursue publishing or expanding the project to compare works of fiction and their focus on social justice.
Literature, Creative Writing
Pharmacogenomics 101
Doctors prescribe drugs to treat a variety of health conditions. However, people can vary in how well they respond to the drug, and whether they experience adverse side effects from taking it. In some cases, this is due to genetic variation - i.e., differences in individuals' DNA sequence - and this is called Pharmacogenomics. In this project, you will use the database PharmGKB to identify genetic variants that impact response to commonly prescribed drugs, and evaluate how they impact the drug's biological actions at the molecular level. Through examining biochemical pathways involved in the drug's metabolism, you will gain a deeper understanding of the field of pharmacogenomics, and how genetic knowledge can help inform medical care.
Biology, Surgery, History, Literature, Languages
Explore your family's global history: Family ancestry & migration project
Students would have the opportunity to research their own family's history, using public historical databases, and create an artistic representation of their lineage (collage, Prezi, graphic design, etc.). Students could focus on learning more about each country and city where their family lived, including art, culture and traditions. They also could focus on interviewing family members and recording stories and tales that have been passed through their family for generations. This project is very flexible and would be adapted to each student, depending on their family's history and their level of connection to family knowledge.
Psychology, Arts, History, Literature, Social Science, Organizational Leadership