Passion Project Ideas For High School Students - Polygence

3/19/24, 2:19 AM Passion Project Ideas for High School Students | Polygence
Polygence blog / Research Opportunities and Ideas
Passion Project Ideas

for High School
Students in 2024
By Jin Chow Last updated Jan 26, 2024
Co-founder of Polygence, Published Nov 30, 2022
Forbes 30 Under 30 for Education 15 minute read
If I could give my high school self one piece of advice, it would be to stress less about
school and to spend more time pursuing passion projects!
Doing a passion project comes with so many benefits: you can take a potential college
major on a test drive; it can help distinguish you from other applicants in the college
admissions process; and the most important benefit is that it can be a ton of fun!
We’ve updated this list to include an even wider range of passion project ideas - they
range from academic projects all the way to fun, creative things that you can do!
What is a Passion Project?

A passion project is an endeavor that is uniquely yours. It is not a school assignment
or a prescribed task - it is your opportunity to explore an area of interest that is unique
to you. It is usually something that you pursue outside the confines of school work or
your profession. It is a project or a hobby that you are excited to pursue because
you’re intrinsically motivated to learn about the topic and to devote time and energy
https://www.polygence.org/blog/passion-project-ideas-for-high-school-students# 1/14
to it. Most importantly, it is something that brings you a sense of joy, intellectual and
creative fulfillment, and personal satisfaction, and something you can proudly
showcase on college applications.
Benefits of Pursuing a Passion Project in

High School
There are many benefits to doing a passion project in high school, but one of the most
important is the opportunity to learn more about career paths. You can dive deep into
a topic that interests you and see if that topic is something you could see yourself
exploring further. A passion project allows you to engage with a topic in a way that
you can’t get from just surface-level reading or research. Further, passion projects can
help distinguish yourself as an applicant for college admissions. We’ve previously
discussed on the Polygence blog how passion projects/research projects can help a
student’s college application. In a time when college applications are becoming more
test-optional and schools value extracurricular activities in high school, passion
projects can help you stand out. Finally, pursuing a passion project allows you to do
something that you enjoy! You can choose what you want to do instead of being
forced to learn about something you have no interest in.
Explore Real Passion Projects from

our Students
Our students have done everything from animating award-winning short
films to recreating historical dresses by hand. The common thread: exploring
their passions deeply and creating something that is uniquely their own.
Explore Now!
Examples of Passion Project Ideas for

High Schoolers
Writing a research paper exploring a hypothesis or a

question
This is perhaps one of the most popular types of passion projects for high schoolers -
the academic project! Do you wish you had more time to explore a particular unit that
your teacher breezed through in school? Is there a nerdy question that’s been
bothering you for months that you’re curious to find the answer to? Do you enjoy
writing and clearly articulating your arguments and findings? If any of this resonates
with you, this might be the right type of passion project for you! To get started here,
you need to first identify what question(s) and hypotheses you hope to explore. If
writing a research paper sounds exciting to you, check out our guide! Here’s an
example of a behavioral economics research paper written by Carmen, one of our
Polygence students.
Writing a review paper

If you’re fascinated by a subject area you don’t know much about, writing a review
paper could be a great way to kickstart your passion project journey. There is
tremendous value in learning how to distill, paraphrase, and summarize existing
research for the rest of the world to consume. Being able to write strong, informative
review papers is critical to getting yourself ready for original research. Polygence
student Ahmet wrote his review paper on quantum algorithms. Check out our research
showcasing opportunities to learn more about what journals and outlets are open to
accepting review paper submissions!
Publishing a personal blog documenting your

learning process
If you enjoy writing in a more casual setting with a wider readership, then blog writing
might be for you! Whether you’re exploring an issue you care deeply about (e.g.,
prison reform, data privacy law), picking up a new hobby like tennis, or backpacking
across the country this summer, keeping a blog can be a great way to synthesize what
you’ve learned and share it with the world! Check out Irene’s interactive blog about
Rome and Italy that she published on Medium!
Producing a podcast on a topic you care about

For those of you who prefer speaking to writing, podcasts are a great way to
disseminate information! Podcasts are a versatile medium that allows you to achieve
a range of goals. Whether you want to interview a series of inspirational scientists,
make science accessible to younger listeners, or educate the world about your unique
insights on a topic, podcasts can be a great way to do that! Polygence student Audrey
chose this approach for her project and created a podcast about skin disorders and
mental health.
Writing an experimental proposal

Lots of students think of white lab coats and pipettes when they think of the words
“research” or “project”. But let’s face it, not all students have ready access to physical
lab space and resources, and experimental design is. A great way to hone your
experimental skills while you wait for space to open up is to practice crafting and
designing an experiment that you can take to your school or an independent lab space
afterward.
Designing an app or video game

Calling all creative minds here! Are you a gamer yourself or have dreams to design the
next big blockbuster app or video game? It’s never too early to try your hand at this
and learn some new skills! You can even combine your building abilities with a social
cause and design a website or app for a social cause that matters to you! Note that
you will need to have some basic coding skills in order to do this project. Polygence
student Rohil developed a website to gamify the process of learning about software
algorithms and used various front-end and back-end technologies to make it happen.
Creating a social media campaign for a cause that

matters to you
Many of you out there are social media whizzes - combining those skills with raising
awareness for particular social issues could be a very rewarding and fulfilling
experience. Have you been wishing you could do more for your community? Want to
do fundraising for a particular cause? There’s simply no better time to start than now!
Designing an infographic
Are you a visual thinker who marvels at the ability of a well-crafted visual to “speak a
thousand words”? Pick a complex topic or process (e.g., the process of breaking down
plastic molecules in the environment; the history of affirmative action in higher
education), and design an insightful and clear infographic to educate the world!
Writing a creative piece - a novel or screenplay or

something else!
Trying to satisfy your creative urges and put pen to paper? A creative writing passion
project might be just the right thing for you. Whether you’re writing a novel or a
creative nonfiction piece, getting started is often the hardest part. You can lean on
organizations and programs such as NaNoWriMo to find a community of other writers
and creators!
Starting a company or club

If there’s an entrepreneurial side to you that’s waiting to be let loose, starting your
own organization or company could be the perfect passion project for you. Is there a
product you’ve always thought should exist but doesn’t? Is there a club that you wish
existed at your high school but doesn’t? Do you and your group of friends already
meet up regularly to discuss a topic, a book, current affairs, or favorite video games?
The possibilities are endless and starting your own organization is a really great way to
hone your skills as a leader and doer! Polygence student Nayan developed an online
tutoring business as his project.
Writing a song
For those who are musically inclined, composing a song and writing the lyrics to it can
be a great way to both de-stress and build up your creative muscle! Whether you’re a
classical musician hoping to untangle the secrets of Bach’s partitas and fugues or an
aspiring jazz composer fascinated by syncopation and chord progressions, getting
creative with music is one of the most rewarding passion projects you could engage in!
Polygence student Ben was able to write and produce a full song from scratch!
Writing a series of poems

Are you tired of prose and want to experiment with the rhythm of words and
language? Trying out poetry writing might be the right thing for you! You can pick your
favorite poet and write your own verses that mirror their style, or you can pick a
number of poets and create a mashup of their styles! If you’re interested in
understanding the intersection between computer science and literature, you could
even do a literary analysis project on the merits of using ChatGPT to write poetry! If
you’re proud of your work, submitting it for publication in magazines, newspapers, or
competitions is a great way to flex that creative muscle of yours.
Create a research project tailored

to your interests and your schedule
Polygence pairs you with an expert mentor in your area of passion. Together,
you work to create a high quality research project that is uniquely your own.
We also offer options to explore multiple topics, or to showcase your final
product!
Explore the program
Producing a photography exhibition

Are you a casual iPhone photographer but interested in learning more about what
makes photos great? You can put together a local exhibition (or even one for your
family and friends) with photos you’ve taken on a special trip, of a special someone, or
even of still life around the neighborhood! The world of photography is vast and there
is so much to learn - if you feel intimidated, start your passion project journey by
following some photography blogs! Polygence student Thea created a photo essay to
explore the tension between the tenderness expressed by the women of the Levant
region and the violence they face.
Starting a fundraising campaign or a non-profit

Do you have a cause that you care deeply about? Starting a fundraiser or non-profit
can be a fun and fulfilling experience because it gives you the opportunity to make a
positive impact in your community or the world. It allows you to channel your
passions, creativity, and leadership skills toward a cause you care about. Additionally,
working with a team of like-minded individuals towards a common goal can be a
bonding experience and provide a sense of accomplishment. The satisfaction of
seeing the tangible results of your efforts and knowing that you have made a
difference in someone's life is a reward in and of itself!
Learning a language and using it to journal

If you’re a language nerd and want your passion project to be both deeply personal
and creative, learning a new language with the goal of journaling in it could be a great
way to go! Language learning is a humbling and rewarding experience - it teaches you
to think in a completely new way and to adopt a fresh perspective on the world.
Passion projects don’t have to be world-shattering. Sometimes, the most fulfilling ones
are deeply personal. As you progress in your writing, you can see your understanding
of grammar and vocabulary expand, which can bring a sense of accomplishment.
Learning an instrument and holding a recital

On the topic of humbling learning experiences, learning to play a new musical
instrument is very similar to learning a new language. Not only does it improve your
musical skills, but it also develops discipline and perseverance. As you progress in your
instrument, you can see your technique and ability improve, which can culminate in a
performance you hold for friends and family, or for your wider school community.
Public performance is an excellent platform to overcome performance anxiety and
build confidence.
Building an AI model
Are you a computer whiz with some experience in artificial intelligence and machine
learning (AI/ML)? Are you excited to apply your skills to a social good passion project
or to investigate a dataset that you’ve always been wondering about? Building an AI
model that answers a question or tests a hypothesis you have is a great way to
challenge yourself! Check out some past projects on AI that Polygence students have
completed with the help of AI models!
Competing in a science fair or a competition

Are you a science whiz who wants to put your best foot forward at a science fair or a
competition? We’ve got you covered! Check out our comprehensive guide on
Regeneron ISEF - the nation’s most renowned science fair competition! There are a
host of other local science fairs that you can participate in as well.
Developing a website
Have you always wanted to try your hand at building a website to educate the world
about a particular topic? Have you always wanted to put your HTML skills and design
chops to the test? Building a website might be the right passion project choice for you!
If you don’t have the requisite coding skills needed to build a website, you can always
lean on website builders such as Wix and SquareSpace to get started! to get started!
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out Arnav’s website on Alzheimer’s disease
which he made using Wix.
Constructing a prototype of your very own invention

Last but not least, there are plenty of passion project opportunities for those who
prefer hands-on learning. Are you a knitter? A builder of robots? A constructor of
models? Building something with your own two hands is a great way to engage with
your passions. Think of a problem that you’d like to solve and let’s get building! For
example, Polygence student Youssef designed a robot auto-snow-melter to help with
his winter chores at home!
Creating a YouTube video

Interested in film or a big admirer of YouTube creators? Create a YouTube video to
help others understand a topic that you’re passionate about. Try to be as creative as
possible - there are so many different ways you can take this! If you’re looking for
inspiration from existing creators, be sure to check out YouTube channels like
Veritasium to get a sense of how you can create an informative and engaging video.
Creating a piece of art

If you’re excited about drawing or any other form of art, consider trying this for a
passion project. You can look to create your own novel piece of work with your own
technique, or even study from a master like Leonardo da Vinci to then inspire your own
work. You can even combine this project idea with storytelling and create a graphic
novel or comic book.
Making a series of TikTok videos

Educational TikTok videos are all over the Internet nowadays, and there are thousands
of creators who are already dedicating themselves to making learning fun and
entertaining. If there’s a topic that you’re passionate about and want to teach to an
audience, consider making a series of TikToks that might catch someone’s eye as
they’re scrolling through the platform. Creators like Cleo Abram and Hank Green are
great examples and they don’t use any fancy techniques to make their videos
engaging.
Creating a magazine or pamphlet

This could be an idea to consider if you’re interested in graphic design! You can take
any topic that you’d like and present it in a pamphlet or magazine format, making
intentional and creative choices about the design of the pamphlet. You can use tools
like Adobe InDesign to get started with designing. Polygence student Sianna made her
own fashion magazine that you can check out here.
Creating a board game or card game

This is a fun, out-of-the-box idea to explore! See if you can take an academic topic
that you’re interested in and turn it into a fun game with its own mechanics and rules,
and potentially its own unique board and game pieces. A potential idea could be to
take a time period or concept from history and turn it into a board game with a
realistic representation of people and events from that time period! You can also of
course set the game in its own fantasy world and create a story around that world as
well.
Performing your own one-person show or stand-up

comedy routine
Think you have what it takes to make an audience laugh? Try doing a standup comedy
routine! Develop your material by brainstorming ideas and writing down everything
that comes to mind. Then you can look to edit and refine material by including themes,
structuring the show, and practicing the performance. Perform in front of a live
audience and use their feedback to refine the performance. This project can double as
an opportunity to improve your public speaking skills and boost your confidence!
Analyzing a product
Passionate about new tech, retail, or fashion products? Love to give reviews or watch
influencers give their take on new products? Analyze a product from a customer
satisfaction perspective and then try to analyze it from the business’s perspective as
well. How successful is the product in terms of its sales? How does it compare to the
company’s existing products? How much does it cost to make?
Organizing a community service project

Help out your local community and boost your resume at the same time! A community
service project can take a variety of forms, like doing a beach or public park cleanup,
a neighborhood beautification project, or a food/clothing drive to support a non-profit
or people in your community. Just think about something that would benefit the
community in some way, and brainstorm what it will take to organize the event and
what would be the best way to spread the news about the event.
Creating an online course

Do you enjoy tutoring or teaching others? Take that a step further by creating your
own online course, which will allow you to reach a greater audience. Creating an online
course with the topic of your choice is easy as ever, and can also be a great way for
you to reinforce your knowledge about a topic and challenge you to explain it in an
easy-to-understand way (which can often be very difficult especially when you get into
advanced concepts). Here’s a great resource from Thinkific to help get you started on
creating your own online course.
Organizing a career conference

A great passion project idea that often flies under the radar is organizing a
conference! This is a bit easier to do if you’re affiliated with a school club, but see if
you can get professionals or domain experts to come and speak to students and share
their ideas. For example, if you’re part of a business club, see if you can find alumni
from your high school who have careers in business and organize a conference where
they can come and speak to students about their careers or specific areas of business.
This conference can be a great event to put together for you and your peers to learn
more about career paths. Furthermore, a conference has the flexibility to be either in-
person or virtual. Finally, if you’re spearheading the effort to put together the
conference, in your efforts to find speakers and alumni for the conference you’ll be
able to meet so many great professionals who you can build relationships with and
receive mentorship from!
Deciding on a Passion Project Idea to

Pursue as a High Schooler
The first step to embarking on your passion project is deciding what you want to
pursue. Try using idea generation techniques, such as mind mapping or brainstorming,
to discern where your true passion lies and what will be the best focus for you.
You can also find inspiration by exploring our lists passion project ideas that are
specific to a topic or field:
Architecture Research and Passion Project Ideas
Arts and Humanities Research and Passion Project Ideas

Biology Research and Passion Project Ideas
Business, Economics, and Finance Research and Passion Project Ideas
Chemistry Research and Passion Project Ideas
Computer Science Research and Passion Project Ideas
Creative Writing Research and Passion Project Ideas
Data Science Research and Passion Project Ideas
Design Research and Passion Project Ideas
Engineering Research and Passion Project Ideas
Environmental Studies Research and Passion Project Ideas in Environmental
Studies
History Research and Passion Project Ideas
Leadership Research and Passion Project Ideas
Literature Research and Passion Project Ideas
Medicine-Related Research and Passion Project Ideas
Neuroscience Research and Passion Project Ideas
Physics Research and Passion Project Ideas
Psychology Research and Passion Project Ideas
Get Matched with a Mentor

Interested in doing one of these exciting research projects? Click below to
get matched with one of our expert mentors!
Register
About the Author
Jin Chow is an academic-turned-entrepreneur from Hong Kong. Her

academic journey, which spans tutoring new immigrant teenagers
in Hong Kong, mentoring incarcerated students while at Princeton,
and embarking upon a PhD at Stanford has shown her that
mentorship is the key to finding one’s calling in life.
In 2019, she co-founded Polygence from her graduate student dorm

at Stanford, along with Janos Perczel. In just over 3 years,
Polygence has helped 2500+ learners from 100+ countries grow
through projects, and built a community of 2000+ mentors.
She was recently featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 for Education.
See more on the author
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3/19/24, 2:19 AM Passion Project Ideas for High School Students | Polygence

Polygence blog / Research Opportunities and Ideas

Passion Project Ideas

What is a Passion Project?

Benefits of Pursuing a Passion Project in

Explore Real Passion Projects from

Examples of Passion Project Ideas for

Writing a research paper exploring a hypothesis or a

Writing a review paper

Publishing a personal blog documenting your

Producing a podcast on a topic you care about

Writing an experimental proposal

Designing an app or video game

Creating a social media campaign for a cause that

Writing a creative piece - a novel or screenplay or

Starting a company or club

Writing a series of poems

Create a research project tailored

Explore the program

Producing a photography exhibition

Starting a fundraising campaign or a non-profit

Learning a language and using it to journal

Learning an instrument and holding a recital

Competing in a science fair or a competition

Constructing a prototype of your very own invention

Creating a YouTube video

Creating a piece of art

Making a series of TikTok videos

Creating a magazine or pamphlet

Creating a board game or card game

Performing your own one-person show or stand-up

Organizing a community service project

Creating an online course

Organizing a career conference

Deciding on a Passion Project Idea to

Architecture Research and Passion Project Ideas

Arts and Humanities Research and Passion Project Ideas

Get Matched with a Mentor

About the Author

Jin Chow is an academic-turned-entrepreneur from Hong Kong. Her

In 2019, she co-founded Polygence from her graduate student dorm

She was recently featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 for Education.

See more on the author

Share it with your friends!

Uncover hidden passions

Take the Quiz!

Key Takeaways from Angela Duckworth's "Grit" and

A Guide to the Math Prize for Girls

Robotics Summer Camps & Programs for High

10 Exciting Engineering Projects for Kids

Best Schools for Criminology in the US

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