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.

Check out some projects

Evaluating the Fairness of Large Language Models

This project could go in a wide variety of directions. However, the central concept here is to define certain language traits (eg: using "soda" vs using "pop") that are correlated with certain demographics. Then, we have the opportunity to analyze how good the responses from a large language model (eg: ChatGPT) are based on different language traits. Ultimately, we want to know if ChatGPT is biased towards certain traits.

Computer Science, Sports Analytics, Quantitative, AI/ML

Adi

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Education

This project will investigate how changes imposed by COVID-19 affect several metrics of educational quality, including changes in GPA, levels of stress, etc. Some examples of predictor variables include a student's region of residence (and vaccination rate in that region), their types of hobbies or extracurriculars, and the mode of instruction they received during the height of the pandemic. To accomplish this project, you will need to create and broadcast a survey to gather the data, which you will interrogate using machine learning and statistical analysis techniques.

Computer Science, Chemistry, AI/ML

Jim

Predicting protein-based drugs efficacy on treating lung/breast cancer.

In recent years, there has been an explosion in the development of protein-based drugs. Many of these drugs have been designed to target cancer cells by inhibiting proteins necessary for cancer cells to proliferate. While current protein-based drugs for cancer has significantly improved patient's prognosis, these drugs remain challenging to design. Over the last few years, publicly available data on drug efficacy on several different targets has been accumulating. Using this data, one could analyze patterns that make certain drugs more effective than other drugs and even predict drug efficacy based on structural and chemical properties of these drugs.

Biology, Cancer, Engineering, AI/ML

Hugh

Real-Time Flight Tracking and Data Processing

For my current research, we deploy ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) collectors "in the field" to receive radio signals broadcast by planes flying overhead. All commercial and recreational aircraft are required to be equipped with an ADS-B transponder, which means that we have the ability to track live air traffic in a 100-150 mile radius of our current location! This provides a really interesting source of relevant data that can be analyzed to find all sorts of interesting trends. If you're interested in a project at the intersection of computer science, data science, and aviation, you can contact me and we would work to get you set up with your own data collection platform. In parallel, you would come up with a project proposal indication how you would like to use the data you collect to accomplish a relevant and impactful goal. Possible ideas could include: learning how to use visualization software to develop comprehensive plots of aircraft trajectories, making predictions about communities most likely to be impacted by noise from overhead flights, and many many more! Finally, I would help you dive into the coding techniques and skills you would need to accomplish your goal and would support you as you build your data collection/processing system.

Computer Science, AI/ML

Nicholas

Designing Privacy Preserving Pooling Systems for High School Student Council Using Homomorphic Encryption

In this project, the student will first study the number theory (such as modular arithmetic, Euler theorem, cyclic groups etc) to gain basic understanding of the mathematical foundations of modern cryptography systems. After that, we are going to learn the fundamental topics such asymmetric cryptograph, homomorphic encryption, oblivious transfer etc. Python programming will be used throughout this course, first to help students understand number theory, and then further creating the core engine for the research projects. Such system can be deployed in high schools to help conduct privacy preserving survey, opinion pools etc.

Arts, Computer Science, AI/ML

Xiao

DIY Activity Tracking with a Smartphone

Collect movement data with your own smartphone (or get some friends to help!) and keep an activity diary. Then, make a program that can track those activities on it's own and test how well it works.

AI/ML, Medicine

Nick

Develop an Administrative Healthcare Application to Decrease Patient Wait Time

I have been creating small scale applications for about 5 years now in python as well as web based applications for small user groups at IBM. IBM being involved in so many fields, one field we are exposed to is the medical field and some of the inefficiencies in it. One of these being patient throughput due to administrative tasks. This project aims to provide a comprehensive solution for managing patient records, appointments, billing, and other administrative tasks It will involve designing a user-friendly application with a focus on usability. The student will perform market research, interviews with potential end users, and explore the intricacies of UI/UX design. Students will learn about the Design Thinking Process Flow, while gaining valuable insight about HIPPA and the health care field.

Engineering, AI/ML

Asa

Harnessing generative AI in forecasting stock market trend

The generative AI, specifically large language models (LLMs) has taken the world by storm over the last few years. From simple tasks of note-taking to writing a well-developed text, LLMs such as Chat-GPT are already becoming vital tools in our daily lives. Despite its main area of usage, generative AI can also be harnessed to build forecasting models to predict future trends. In this project, we will leverage transformers, the basis of the attention mechanism, to set up a framework for public time-series forecasting. Once the proof-of-concept phase is complete, we will analyze the available stock market data and stress-test the developed AI tool. A potential outcome of this fruitful project will be to obtain a solid framework and toolkit for future forecasting analyses and create a ready-to-use forecasting app. This is an advanced-level project.

Physics, Math, AI/ML

Ercag

Determining most impressive World Records between Track and Field Disciplines

Multiple world records exist in the sport of Track and Field as there exists disciplines such as javelin, shotput, high jump, 100 meter sprints, and 5000 meter races, among others. As the disciplines do not share commonalities, it is hard to determine if the current 400 meter record is more impressive than the shotput record, for example. An additional complication is that only the best few thousand results exist per discipline, so traditional statistical measures around averages and distributions cannot be run. The goal of this project is to determine a good method of approach to comparing statistical records.

Sports Analytics, Math, AI/ML, Statistics

Jeff

The Future of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Neuroradiology

From automated detection of intracranial hemorrhage to prognostication of stroke patient outcome, machine learning- and artificial intelligence-based tools are increasingly prevalent in neuroradiology. The question remains - how will these tools affect the future of radiology? In this project, the student will conduct a literature review recent advances in AI/ML and make their conjectures about how these tools will impact radiology workflows, patient care, and the future of the field.

Neuroscience, Computer Science, AI/ML, Cognitive, Medicine

Emily

Analyzing the Fly Connectome

With this project you will make use of the publicly available fly connectome which maps how each neuron in the fly brain connects to every other neuron in the hemibrain dataset. You can make predictions about how different brain regions talk to each other. We would start by reading about what different brain regions in the fly do and pick some areas of interest -- for example, how does the learning system talk to regions of the brain that control movement? You will learn how to work with matrices in Python, plot data to visualize it, and read scientific papers. You could create a scientific paper, blog post, presentation, or video about your work.

Neuroscience, Computer Science, AI/ML

Jasmine

Build toy machine learning model for an semi-autonomous vehicle

(Requires sufficient programming knowledge.) Use an open-source self-driving vehicle simulator to collect data. Use data to train a machine learning model for a vehicle to navigate an autonomous routine. Measure the performance of the model.

AI/ML

Noah

Machine Learning for Autonomous Vehicles

There are many, many tasks involved in the realm of self-driving vehicles, which involve analysis of activities happening inside the vehicle, outside the vehicle, and even from a bird's-eye-view. Some projects you may want to explore: Driver activity analysis using inside-facing cameras, exploring a driver's eyes, attention, posture, hand activity, etc. Detecting pedestrians and other vehicles in the outside scene using machine learning. Path planning and trajectory prediction for intelligent agents. If your idea involves an intelligent vehicle, I'd love to connect and help guide your research!

Music, AI/ML

Ross

A survey on acceptability of vaccines among millennials

The goal of this project is to familiarize the student with the following skillsets: 1- How to design a survey based on a scientific question 2- How to identify the responders and expand outreach 3- How to analyze results of the survey. Results of this project can be published in a scientific magazine, LinkedIn article, or similar outlets. Reference for the image: https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/medical-survey-line-icon-hospital-patient-history-vector-23114522

AI/ML

Morteza

Create your own Pokédex: Using deep neural networks to identify animal species

This project involves creating an animal species recognition system using deep neural networks. Similar to a Pokédex, this system will identify animal species from images and provide relevant information. You'll collect a dataset, develop a deep learning model, design a user interface, and deploy the system for practical use. By the end, you'll have a working tool for species identification, gaining valuable experience in machine learning and computer vision. Basic proficiency in Python and some understanding of web or app development are prerequisites for this project. Join us in building a practical animal identification system inspired by the Pokédex.

Biotech, Physics, Chemistry, AI/ML, Business

Jesus

Protein Folding:

For this project, you will learn about the biology and physics involved in the process of protein folding. You will learn about biophysical methods for investigating protein folding and protein structure as well as computational models for modeling protein folding. You will write an in-depth review paper on a biophysical technique or theoretical model of your choosing. Some exposure to mathematics, physics, and molecular biology will be helpful.

Biotech, AI/ML

Melanie

Simplifying Fiery Reactions with Data

I spearheaded an exciting project called "Simplifying Fiery Reactions with Data" that aimed to make complex combustion simulations easier to understand and work with. Imagine a puzzle where you have to figure out how different things burn and react together. Well, in the world of science and engineering, we use special computer programs to simulate these reactions, which help us design better engines, create cleaner fuels, and even understand how fire behaves. But here's the catch: these simulations can be really complicated and time-consuming. That's where our project would come in! We will use tricks with data to make these simulations faster and simpler, like finding shortcuts in a maze. By doing this, we can unlock valuable insights into combustion and make it much easier for scientists and engineers to study and improve how things burn. It's like making a tough puzzle a whole lot easier to solve, and it's all about making our world safer, cleaner, and more efficient!

Physics, Computer Science, AI/ML, Business

Shervin

Your Music Taste and You: Can Your Spotify Playlist Predict Your Personality?

This project seeks to understand the connection between musical preference and personality traits. We're particularly interested in investigating whether emotional responses to different music genres can serve as a predictor for certain personality attributes, such as extraversion and openness to experience. We plan to gather data through surveys and personality tests, analyzing them for correlations between musical preferences and personality traits. In the second stage of the project, we'll explore whether the patterns we find hold true across different cultural contexts, adding another layer of complexity to our research. If successful, our findings could pave the way for innovative, non-verbal, and culture-fair methods for personality assessment. Additionally, they could enrich our understanding of the psychological effects of music, offering a new perspective on how and why music is such a fundamental part of human culture.

Neuroscience, AI/ML, Cognitive

Brock

Wearable Technology:

Interested in wearable tech? This project will involve you working on brainstorming ideas of what types of wearable technology would be interesting to have. We will look at current technologies that are being implemented, and I will show you some of the work that I am working on for my graduate research work.

Biotech, AI/ML

Artem

Let's play "Guess the Artist"!

Different musical genres lend themselves to different types of lyrics. For example, a Christian rock band is probably going to sing about different things than a Country-Western singer. What if we could predict who sings a song based on their lyrics? Using natural language processing (NLP) AI algorithms, we can train a model to identify certain artists based on their lyrics. Using Python and Scikit-learn, these models can take lyrics from a song and predict the singer with surprising accuracy. This project could even be extended to create new song lyrics for a certain artist!

Computer Science, AI/ML

Kyle