School Project Ideas

[GoldenRaz]

In a month or so, I have to decide what my project will be for my last year of high school (12th grade). Problem is, I can't come up with any ideas. So I thought (for lack of better judgment) that I might as well consult you folks in this question. For those who are wondering, the project will be something of a home project, in that we don't have classes where we'll work with it, only times where we check off with a teacher on our progress. It can be about more or less everything (examples I've seen: the effectivity of different sun blocks, the weight/price ratio of different pizza places, working at a zoo) as long as it's somehow linked to natural science and/or technology.

I appreciate any suggestions, but I have some personal requests:
- First and foremost, it has to be somewhat fun. I am quite undisciplined and will procrastinate like crazy if I don't find it enjoyable on some level.
- I'd like for it to be grounded in math and/or physics, since they are my favourite subjects.
- It would be preferable if I could do it on my own, as I'm not sure I can coerce any of my peers to work with me. Not to mention that I prefer working alone for the freedom it gives me.
- I doubt that I can do any project that'll cost me any major amounts of money.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Anarchemitis]

A report on the NASA programs that lead up to Project Apollo (In order of importance, for clarity: Mercury, Gemini, Surveyor, Ranger) and how Apollo 11 was actually the most boring one of them all, since it was the shortest one.

Apollo 12 had a longer EVA, Apollo 13 blew up on-route (but the Astronauts survived), 14, 15, 16 and 17 all had significant geological discoveries in them. Don't forget the 10 missions that took place before 11.

 

[Camaranth]

Can you be a little more specific about your interests? With physics and Math as your base you can tie-in pretty much anything

if you're interested in space/astrophysics then the post above is pretty good, or you can go into current ideas, planet terra-forming theories, the search for habitable planets and even xeno-biology.


a little closer to home there is loads of information about green energy, and calculating how small improvements in city planning can combat climate change, (white roofs increase albedo etc, home use solar pannels etc etc etc) heck what's the best angle of a roof in an area with high annual snow-fall to prevent cave-ins?

if you're more of an engineer you could go to a theme-park and work out angle to speed to thrill ratios or safety technology how you really don;t need safety belts because the laws of physics will keep your ass in the seat...

and then of course there is bio-physics, nano-tech, quantum computing, the LHC, fundamental physics, the science of special effects and film, star-trek...

I can keep going but you've gotta help me narrow this beam a little
(seriously mate I'm a specialised ideas gal)

 

[shreedder]

make some form of musical instroment using wave length princables. It can use tubes, and cords, each at predetermained length, and when hit in a certain order will play part of a song.

 

[GoldenRaz]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I know I'm not being very specific in my wishes, and that's mostly due to not really knowing just what I want to do. Think of this as a sort of brainstorming-thing.

if you're more of an engineer you could go to a theme-park and work out angle to speed to thrill ratios or safety technology how you really don;t need safety belts because the laws of physics will keep your ass in the seat...

This takes the cake so far, it sounds like a lot of fun. Not only would that involve a bunch of maths and whatever, but it also gives me an excuse to visit various theme-parks "for science". I'll definently talk to my teacher about having that as my project, thanks.

Again, thanks for all your suggestions!

 

[Zantos]

You could do an analysis on the different physics engines used in gaming to draw up some conclusion on realism vs system requirements to use them or something like that. It could be pretty fun.

Well, I'd find it fun, but I willingly and knowingly decided to study theoretical physics so my kinda fun is different to most peoples.

 

[SiskoBlue]

I have a suggestion but it's not as exciting as roller-coasters. You could do a "learning" experiement. Like a skinner box (look that up if you don't know). But basically you pick some behaviour you want to improve (say exercise). You make a baseline (try to exercise for 2 weeks and see how much you do). Then add a reward/punishment system. Say for every hour of exercise you get 2 hours of gaming time. And keep a record of your behaviour to show reward = increase in behaviour.

Not sure if that fits under Natural Science, but here are the perks. 1) It costs nothing, unless you want to by specific exercise equipment. 2) There's loads of material online about reward systems and learning. 3) You'll get fit, or fitter. 4) It involves some stats/maths. And 5) You can just lie and make up all the data like I did.