[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!
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[Stand Out from the Crowd!] Recommended Independent Research Topics for High School Students (41–50)
Optical illusion art
These are illustrations that use optical illusions—trick art.
In the video, a ruler is used to make it look like there’s a hole in the notebook.
A flat notebook appears to have a mysterious three-dimensional depth.
With this method, even those who aren’t confident in their drawing skills can try it casually.
Of course, you can also challenge more advanced trick art like the kind you see on TV shows.
Start by copying, and eventually aim to create your own original artwork.
It might also be fun to gather a group and turn it into a large-scale project.
[Don’t Be Like Everyone Else!] Recommended Independent Research Topics for High School Students (51–60)
Making things with a 3D printer
If you have access to a 3D printer, why not try creating something with it? As long as you have the design data, you can produce exactly what you envision.
There are also shops that rent out 3D printers, so if you’re interested, be sure to look into it.
Observe changes in sound using water and test tubes
This is an experiment to investigate the conditions that determine pitch (how high or low a sound is).
Prepare several test tubes of the same size and several test tubes of different sizes, and blow air across their openings.
The air inside the test tubes will vibrate and produce sound.
We will examine which conditions determine the pitch.
For example, prepare test tubes of the same size with different amounts of water—one with one-fifth filled, one with one-third filled, and one with no water—and see how the sound changes.
Try varying various conditions to conduct the experiment.
Schlieren phenomenon
An experiment on the Schlieren phenomenon.
Prepare coarse brown sugar, a wire, an alcohol lamp, and matches.
Light the alcohol lamp and heat the wire.
Next, when you try to insert the heated wire into the brown sugar, the heat melts the sugar and the wire goes in.
If you leave it for a while, the surrounding area solidifies and the wire remains fixed in place.
There are various other experiments for the Schlieren phenomenon, such as putting candy in water and observing how it dissolves.
Records of the Three Kingdoms
China has a long history.
How about focusing your research on the Three Kingdoms period? You could take a broad view and look at how each of the three states came to be and how they related to one another, or you could narrow it down to just one state.
If you feel that complex discussions aren’t your thing, there are manga based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, so why not start from there?
Try mixing water and oil
We’re going to experiment with what happens when you mix water and oil.
First, prepare water colored red with food dye and some oil.
Use a dropper to add the red-colored water to the oil one drop at a time.
Then observe what happens.
Try various conditions: what happens if you add more, what if you add half, and what happens if you stir it with chopsticks? Also, remember that salad dressing is made using water and oil, so when you have the chance, pay attention to how the water and oil components behave.
Extinguish fire with sound
We usually use water to put out fires, but in this experiment we will use sound.
By emitting sound from a speaker, the flame can be extinguished, so let’s investigate the underlying principle.
It would also be interesting to compare the effects of different sound pitches and summarize the findings, as that may reveal intriguing results.