12 Biomedical Engineering Projects for High School Students
Have you ever wondered how a robotic arm knows how to move or how machines that can see inside your body are designed? That’s the world of biomedical engineering, and the best part is, you don’t have to wait until college to explore it. In fact, starting an engineering project now, while you're still in high school, is a smart move.
Taking on a biomedical engineering project means you’re not just learning facts; you’re learning how to make stuff that matters. Whether you're designing a low-cost prosthetic or building a smart sensor to track vital signs, you're applying real science to real people’s lives.
If you’re someone who learns by doing, enjoys science and technology, or simply wants to create something innovative that helps others, biomedical engineering might be your ideal launchpad. To help you get started, here are 12 biomedical engineering projects for high school students that you can try!
1. DIY ECG Signal Acquisition with Arduino
Doctors visualize heartbeats on a monitor — his project allows you to build a basic version of that system on your own. Using an Arduino, some simple wires, and an AD8232 ECG sensor, you will assemble a device that reads the electrical signals produced by the heart. In the process, you’ll learn how to accurately place electrodes on your skin, process the signals in real time, and display your heartbeat as a waveform on your laptop.
This won’t replace hospital equipment — it's not as medically accurate — but it’s a great way to understand cardiac electrophysiology and bio-signal monitoring. You can even compare your results with publicly available ECG datasets. Follow this Arduino ECG guide to get started.
Subject Field: Medical Instrumentation
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Basic Arduino programming, basic circuit design
Limitation: This DIY ECG is a simplified version of clinical systems — it’s great for learning, but not accurate or safe enough for any actual medical interpretation.
2. 3D-Printed Prosthetic Hand Prototype
In this project, students get to explore the world of assistive tech by designing and 3D printing a basic mechanical prosthetic hand. Using open-source CAD files, which are available on platforms like Open Bionics, you will assemble a functional model that mimics human hand movements. Through this project, you will understand the anatomy of the hand, how tendons and joints work together, and how mechanical motion replicates real-world gestures.
While the final model won’t be suitable for medical use, it offers a powerful introduction to the biomechanics behind prosthetics. This is perfect for students interested in mechanical or biomedical engineering, robotics, or product design with a real-world social impact.
Subject Field: Biomechanics
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Basic CAD, 3D printing experience
Limitations: While the prosthetic hand you build will demonstrate real movement and mechanics, it’s intended purely as a functional demo and isn’t designed for actual use by patients.
3. Gait Analysis Using Smartphone Sensors
In this project, students will use their smartphone’s motion sensors to capture how their body moves with each step, then analyze the data in Python to study gait patterns. Do you lean slightly to one side? Is one leg working harder than the other? These subtle differences can be detected through your walking data.
For comparison, students can explore real clinical walking data from PhysioNet’s Gait Database. It’s a fascinating way to combine mobile tech and health science, especially for those interested in rehabilitation, sports medicine, or smart wearables.
Subject Field: Biomechanics
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Basic Python, use of mobile sensors
Limitations: To complete this project, students will need access to a modern smartphone with motion sensors and a computer capable of running Python, which may limit participation for those without these devices.
4. Pulse Rate Monitor Using LED and Photodiode
With just a few basic components, you can create your own pulse monitor that mimics the core function of wearable fitness bands. By shining an LED through the finger and detecting changes with a photodiode, the system tracks the heart's rhythm and converts it into digital signals. These are processed via Arduino and visualized as a pulse waveform. The experience teaches key concepts behind heart rate sensors used in smartwatches and fitness trackers.
Subject Field: Medical Instrumentation
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Basic electronics, Arduino use
Limitations: While this device provides a fascinating look at how pulse sensors work, it’s important to note that it’s not medically accurate and shouldn’t be used for health monitoring or diagnosis.
5. UV-based Sterilization Box for Medical Tools
With hygiene more important than ever, this project teaches students how to build a UV sterilization box that mimics hospital tech. By wiring UV-C LEDs into an enclosed box lined with reflective foil, they’ll construct a device that uses light — not chemicals — to kill germs. It’s a great way to explore how science meets engineering in infection prevention. A helpful Instructables tutorial is available to guide the process. Students interested in tackling real-world health challenges with hands-on solutions can find this project especially meaningful.
Subject Field: Medical Devices
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Basic circuit design, UV safety knowledge
Limitations: Because UV-C light can be harmful to skin and eyes, this project requires careful handling and strict safety precautions to ensure it's used responsibly and only in enclosed, protected environments.
6. Design an App for Patient Symptom Tracking
What if patients could carry a health journal in their pocket? In this project, you will make that a reality by building a no-code mobile app for symptom tracking. You’ll think like patients — designing intuitive screens where users can log how they feel each day, note any symptoms, and monitor their health over time. Using Glide or Thunkable, you won’t need to code, but you’ll learn how to solve real problems through good design. This project is ideal for students interested in healthcare, human-centered design, or digital wellness tools.
Subject Field: Medical Informatics
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Basic app design (Figma, Thunkable, or Glide)
Limitations: While the app will offer a functional and interactive experience, it will remain a prototype without backend data storage, meaning user entries won’t be saved permanently or synced across devices.
7. Thermometer Patch Using LM35
In this project, you will build a simple wearable thermometer patch using the LM35 temperature sensor and an Arduino board. The sensor detects skin temperature in real-time, and the readings can be displayed on an LCD or streamed to a computer. By wiring the circuit and coding a basic program, you’ll learn how biosensors work and how analog data is translated into meaningful health insights. It's an ideal first step into biomedical electronics. A step-by-step Arduino tutorial is available to walk you through. This project is perfect for those curious about wearable health tech, remote monitoring, or beginner-friendly biosensing tools.
Subject Field: Medical Instrumentation
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Basic electronics, Arduino programming
Limitations: Since the LM35 sensor captures only surface-level readings, the thermometer patch can’t measure core body temperature and should be used purely for tracking external skin temperature changes.
8. Contactless IR Thermometer
In a world where health screening is essential, this project gives students the chance to create their own contactless thermometer. Using the MLX90614 sensor and Arduino, you’ll design a system that reads body temperature from a short distance and displays it clearly on a screen. No contact is required — just aim the sensor and get an instant reading. This hands-on activity introduces students to infrared sensing, real-time monitoring, and public health tools.
Subject Field: Medical Instrumentation
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Arduino basics, sensor integration
Limitations: While this contactless IR thermometer offers a great hands-on learning experience, its accuracy is lower than that of professionally calibrated commercial devices, making it better suited for demonstrations than medical use.
9. Measure Respiration Rate with Stretch Sensor
Imagine turning your breath into real-time data. In this project, students will create a chest-worn breathing monitor using a stretch sensor and Arduino. As you breathe in and out, the sensor detects the expansion and contraction of the chest, sending data to be processed and visualized. It’s a hands-on way to see your body’s rhythms and learn how wearable tech tracks them. With help from Adafruit’s tutorials, even beginners can get their first taste of bio-interfacing. This project suits students who love tech, health, and the science behind smart clothing.
Subject Field: Medical Instrumentation / Biomechanics
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Basic Arduino and sensor understanding
Limitations: While the sensor setup effectively captures breathing patterns, it may require calibration for accurate readings and isn't precise enough for clinical or diagnostic use.
10. DIY Stethoscope Using Condenser Mic
With this project, students can build a DIY stethoscope that lets them hear the body’s inner workings — using just a condenser mic, amplifier, and headphones. The mic picks up faint sounds from the chest, while the amplifier boosts them for clearer listening. Students will understand how doctors use sound to assess health and how electronics make it more accessible. It’s a fun, low-budget way to blend curiosity with science and tech.
Subject Field: Medical Instrumentation / Acoustics
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Basic audio circuitry
Limitations: Although the stethoscope effectively amplifies body sounds, it offers limited audio clarity and isn't suitable for medical diagnosis or clinical use due to its poor sound fidelity.
11. Hydrogel Wound Dressing Testing
In this hands-on project, students will explore the science behind hydrogel-based wound dressings — materials known for their moisture-retaining and soothing properties. Using polymers like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and crosslinking agents, you will formulate basic hydrogel films that mimic real wound dressings. Once prepared, you will test your creations for properties like water absorption, elasticity, transparency, and drying time.
Through experimentation, you’ll learn how different formulations affect healing potential and user comfort. This project also introduces you to essential concepts in polymer chemistry and biomaterials. Ideal for students interested in biochemistry, tissue engineering, or innovations in skin repair and wound care technology.
Subject Field: Biomaterials
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Basic chemistry lab skills
Limitations: This project requires access to basic lab equipment and careful handling of materials, which may limit feasibility for students without a suitable science lab environment.
12. Basic Eye Tracking System Using Webcam
This project introduces students to eye-tracking technology using only a webcam, Python, and OpenCV. You will create a system that detects and tracks eye movement in real-time while learning fundamental computer vision techniques such as object detection and frame analysis. It’s surprisingly achievable, even for beginners, and helps students comprehend how motion tracking operates behind the scenes. The project provides a gateway into fields like accessibility tech and interactive design. It’s an excellent choice for students curious about how humans can control machines with just a glance.
Subject Field: Biomedical Signal Processing / AI
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prior Knowledge/Skills Required: Python, OpenCV basics
Limitations: Because the system relies on a basic webcam, its tracking accuracy may be limited, especially under poor lighting or with rapid eye movement.
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