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Browse project ideas by Polygence mentors
Immigration Policy Then vs. Now
Students will learn how immigration policies in the United States have evolved over time, the reasons behind major policy changes, and how these laws affect different groups of people. To gather information, students will research at least two historical immigration policies—such as past versus current laws—using textbooks, government websites, and other credible online sources. They will compare the goals, effects, and public reactions associated with each policy. As a result of this project, students may produce a compare-and-contrast essay, create a timeline poster or infographic, or scientific research paper.
Social
Piracy and Early American Institutions
Pirate gold funded a number of important institutions in early colonial America. One example is Trinity Church in NYC, which was funded by William Kidd and smuggled pirate gold. Another example is the College of William and Mary--which is also where several pirates were publicly executed. Why did the US demonize the reputation of pirates, after taking money to fund their institutions of higher learning and religious institutions? Why do we have certain images of pirates that might not align with the historical reality? Why would pirates care to fund religious institutions? What does this tell us about Early America? What does this tell us about pirates?
Philosophy, Literature
What can electrophysiological biomarkers tell us about brain state?
Electrophysiological measurements have allowed us to gain insight into brain function and information processing. In this project, we will explore how these signals reflect brain states and how they can provide insight into disease conditions. We will examine methods for interpreting electrophysiological data, identify key neural signatures, and review current discoveries in biomarkers associated with neurological disorders. This research could lead to a paper or to a presentation depending on the student's preference.
Neuroscience, Biology
How Does a Cancer Diagnosis Impact Mental Health?
This project explores the emotional and psychological impact of receiving a cancer diagnosis. Students can investigate questions such as: How does a cancer diagnosis affect anxiety, depression, or quality of life? What factors (e.g., social support, access to care) may influence mental health outcomes in patients? Students will learn how to develop a research question, read and interpret scientific literature, and understand key concepts in public health and psychology. They will gather information primarily through a literature review and may also explore publicly available datasets or case studies to better understand patient experiences. By the end of the project, students can produce a scientific research paper, a presentation, or a creative product such as an infographic or awareness campaign. This project helps students build skills in critical thinking, empathy in research, and science communication, while exploring an important topic at the intersection of mental health and chronic illness.
Public Health, Neuroscience
Analyzing Microplastic or Water Quality Data from Public Databases
The student would pull open-source environmental data from databases like the EPA's Water Quality Portal or NOAA's Marine Debris dataset and use Google Sheets or Python to find patterns, like whether contamination correlates with urban density or seasonal changes. Climate and pollution are consistently top concerns for Gen Z, making this a natural fit.
Biology
Does Screen Time Before Bed Actually Affect Sleep Quality?
The student would track their own (or family members') sleep patterns over several weeks, comparing nights with heavy screen time in the last hour before bed versus no screens at all. They'd log variables like time to fall asleep, number of times waking up, total hours slept, and a self-reported quality rating each morning. They could also layer in factors like blue light filter usage versus no filter to test whether those settings actually help. The data gets analyzed for statistical significance using Google Sheets or Excel. This connects to circadian biology, melatonin suppression, and neuroscience, all while investigating something every teenager personally deals with and argues with their parents about. No equipment needed beyond a phone and a spreadsheet.
Biology
How Energy Drinks and Caffeine Affect Reaction Time and Heart Rate
The student would test whether common energy drinks, coffee, or caffeine pills measurably affect reaction time (using free online reaction time tests) and resting heart rate compared to a control. They'd design a self-study or recruit family members, track variables over multiple trials, and analyze whether the "boost" people feel is reflected in actual performance data. This connects to exercise physiology, neuroscience, and nutrition, topics that resonate with student athletes and anyone who has grabbed a Red Bull before a test. All you need is a phone, a free reaction time website, and some beverages.
Biology
Exploring the Association Between Sleep and Mental Health in Teenagers
This project invites students to examine how social and behavioral factors influence well-being. In this project, students can explore questions such as how time spent on social media, type of content consumed, or online interactions relate to stress, anxiety, or self-esteem in teenagers. Students will learn how to develop a clear research question, read and interpret scientific literature, and understand basic research methods such as surveys and observational studies. They will gather information through a literature review and may also design a simple, anonymous survey to explore patterns in social media use and mental health indicators. By the end of the project, students can produce a scientific research paper, a presentation, or a creative output such as an infographic or awareness campaign. This project helps students build skills in critical thinking, data interpretation, and science communication, while exploring a topic that is highly relevant to their daily lives.
Public Health, Neuroscience
How Does Social Media Use Impact Teen Mental Health?
My expertise is in public health, epidemiology, and mental health, with a focus on how social and behavioral factors influence well-being. In this project, students can explore questions such as how time spent on social media, type of content consumed, or online interactions relate to stress, anxiety, or self-esteem in teenagers. Students will learn how to develop a clear research question, read and interpret scientific literature, and understand basic research methods such as surveys and observational studies. They will gather information through a literature review and may also design a simple, anonymous survey to explore patterns in social media use and mental health indicators. By the end of the project, students can produce a scientific research paper, a presentation, or a creative output such as an infographic or awareness campaign. This project helps students build skills in critical thinking, data interpretation, and science communication, while exploring a topic that is highly relevant to their daily lives.
Public Health, Neuroscience
Naming Monumental Histories
There are monuments to the past seemingly everywhere we go, and buildings we traverse daily bear names of historical figures, but we rarely take the moment (or have the time) to explore the meaning behind that monument or name's origins. I'd love for you to choose a monument/memorial/name in a place that means something to you (somewhere you grew up, a place you visited, a destination you hope to see one day, a building at your school or in your town, etc.), and we can look into the history of that object or that name. This can tell us a lot about the legacies of the past that persist in the places we call home, for example, and any change that we want to make in the world has to proceed with a historical understanding of how we got here (over time and in a physical space). We could work on a podcast explaining the meaning behind such names or monuments, or we could propose a plaque, sign, or marker explaining the historical significance of a name or object.
Social Science, History
