[I don't want to be like everyone else!] Recommended independent research topics for high school students
When it comes to summer break independent research projects, many high school students struggle to choose a topic.
Independent research can be especially time-consuming and challenging.
But don’t worry! Here, we introduce interesting independent research ideas recommended for high school students.
Some involve using fire or slightly more complex methods, so you’re sure to find something that interests you.
From experiments using familiar materials to hands-on crafts, there’s a wide range—from simple projects to those that take more time.
Dive in and turn your project into a fulfilling experience.
Have fun and learn a lot along the way!
- Recommended for high school students! A collection of easy one-day science project ideas
- Stand out with your junior high school independent research! A collection of fun experiment and craft ideas
- [Middle School Students] Easy One-Day Science Projects and Crafts Ideas
- For upper-grade boys! Simple yet awesome craft project [Don’t call it lazy]
- [For Adults] Simple yet Impressive Crafts: A Stylish, Eye-Catching Collection
- Simple and cute summer project crafts! A collection of ideas for girls that will make you want to create
- Recommended for middle school students! A collection of quick science project ideas you can do in a short time.
- [I don't want to be like everyone else!] Recommended independent research topics for high school students
- DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love: ideas you can make with everyday materials
- Simple yet amazing crafts: craft ideas that elementary school students will want to make
- Simple but awesome! Craft ideas for upper-grade girls
- Elementary School Students: Simple One-Day Science Project and Craft Ideas
- [5th Grade Elementary School] Independent Research Themes & Crafts | A Collection of Ideas That Lead to Learning
[Don’t Want to Be Like Everyone Else!] Recommended Independent Research Topics for High School Students (21–30)
Making a storm glass
Do you know about storm glasses? In Japanese they’re called “tenkikan,” and they are devices in which multiple chemicals are dissolved in alcohol inside a glass tube; the weather is said to be predictable based on the state of the solution and precipitates, and they apparently were actually used in the 19th century.
In addition to verifying the accuracy of their weather predictions over the long summer vacation, it might be a good idea to look into their history in detail as well.
Making impossible objects
Do you know the artist M.C.
Escher? Even if you don’t recognize the name, I think you’ve probably seen his “impossible objects” created through optical illusions at least once.
They’re called impossible objects because they can’t actually be constructed in reality, but depending on the viewing angle, you can recreate them in practice.
The phenomenon known as “optical illusion” is profound and really rewarding to explore.
[Don't Want to Be Like Everyone Else!] Recommended Independent Research Topics for High School Students (31–40)
Challenge in composition
Why not take advantage of the long summer vacation to dive into songwriting? Whether you’ve composed before or not, start by listening to a variety of songs and researching how each is structured and what instruments are used.
Once you’ve decided on the kind of song you’d like to create, use existing works as references for elements like chord progressions and melody flow, and begin crafting your own original piece.
When it’s ready, record it using your smartphone or DTM software, and if you burn it to a disc or similar, your summer assignment is complete!
A portable cloud?!
Let’s make a portable cloud.
First, prepare a plastic bottle and an incense stick.
Put a little water into a 2-liter plastic bottle and trap the smoke from a lit incense stick inside.
Squeeze the bottle with your hands for about 30 seconds to create pressure changes inside.
This cools the air inside and produces water vapor.
When that vapor mixes with the smoke, a portable cloud forms inside the bottle.
Clouds are formed when moisture in the air mixes with tiny particles, and in this experiment, smoke is used as a substitute for those particles.
Extract DNA from orange juice!
You know that the bodies of plants and animals are made of DNA.
But if someone asked you what DNA actually is, you might have trouble answering.
That’s why I recommend doing some research on DNA.
In particular, the experiment of extracting DNA from orange juice is easy and visually fun.
The method is simply to slowly pour anhydrous ethanol into a cup containing orange juice.
Look into the mechanism and give it a try.
Let’s make diamond dust
You’ve heard the term “diamond dust,” right? But not many people know what it actually is or how it forms.
Diamond dust is a phenomenon where tiny ice crystals, called ice needles, fall through the air and sparkle like diamonds.
How about trying to create it yourself? The conditions are calm air and humid air at below minus 15 degrees Celsius.
You can generate and observe it using just an empty can frozen in a freezer, some bubble wrap, and a light source to create those conditions.
Why not film the setup and observe it in a video?
Let’s explore the secrets of sound
Here’s an idea for a flute you can make just by connecting straws.
Prepare straws that are all the same thickness and length.
You’ll need 8 straws for the mouthpiece, and since you’ll place spacer straws between them, prepare an additional 7, for a total of 15.
Cut the spacer straws to 5 cm.
The straws that become the flute pipes will vary in length depending on the pitch, so be sure to measure their lengths carefully with a ruler.
After cutting, seal one end of each straw with tape to make it a closed pipe.
Once everything is connected and glued together, it’s done.
Try experimenting with different lengths to see what sounds they make.
