Top 14 Computer Science Research Ideas for High School Students
Conducting research in computer science can be an exciting way for high schoolers to deepen their understanding of technology and its applications. By embarking on these projects, you’ll gain technical skills and experience in critical thinking that will serve you well in any future academic or professional field. Working on research projects allows you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems and enhance your academic profile.
Whether you're interested in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or software development, doing a research project in high school can set the foundation for future academic success. Here's a list of 14 research ideas in computer science for high school students to inspire your next project.
1. Analyze Bias in Facial Recognition Algorithms
Subject/Field: Artificial Intelligence, Ethics
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prior Knowledge Required: Basic understanding of machine learning and Python programming
Resources: KANFace Dataset (https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.07302)
Drawbacks: Accessing diverse and representative datasets can be challenging; ethical considerations in handling sensitive data.
In this project, you will study how facial recognition systems perform across different demographic groups. By collecting datasets, training models, and evaluating accuracy across various ethnicities and age groups, you can uncover potential biases in these technologies. This is a valuable project for students who want to explore the intersection of AI and social justice and are interested in ethics and fair technology design.
2. Develop a Chatbot for Mental Health Support
Subject/Field: Natural Language Processing, Psychology
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prior Knowledge Required: Familiarity with NLP libraries like NLTK or spaCy, and basic counseling principles
Resources: MentalChat16K Dataset (https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.13509)
Drawbacks: Ensuring the chatbot provides appropriate support without replacing professional help; handling sensitive user data responsibly.
This research idea involves designing a chatbot that provides emotional support and coping strategies through conversation. You will explore how natural language processing can be used to simulate empathetic responses, guide users toward helpful resources, and ensure the bot operates ethically and effectively. Ideal for students interested in psychology and AI, this project encourages a thoughtful balance between technology and mental health care. You will also gain valuable experience in conversational design and ethical tech development.
3. Design a Mobile App for Local Environmental Reporting
Subject/Field: Mobile Development, Environmental Science
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge Required: Basic app development skills using platforms like MIT App Inventor or Flutter
Resources: Environmental Reporting Datasets on Kaggle (https://www.kaggle.com/datasets?tags=7302-Environment)
Drawbacks: Encouraging user adoption and ensuring the accuracy of reported data.
This project will guide you to develop a user-friendly mobile app where local residents can report environmental hazards like littering, illegal dumping, or pollution. You'll explore geolocation APIs, interface design, and possibly integrate photo reporting to ensure credibility. This project is excellent for students interested in mobile development and community engagement with an environmental focus. It provides practical experience creating tech solutions that encourage local activism and problem-solving.
4. Create a Personalized Learning Platform Using Machine Learning
Subject/Field: Machine Learning, Education Technology
Experience Level: Advanced
Prior Knowledge Required: Proficiency in machine learning algorithms and educational pedagogy
Drawbacks: Ensuring the model accurately adapts to diverse learning styles; managing data privacy concerns.
In this project, you will build a learning management system that leverages machine learning algorithms to tailor content and exercises to each student's learning pace and style. You'll integrate predictive analytics to recommend resources and assessments based on performance trends. Students interested in education and artificial intelligence will find this project highly rewarding as it combines pedagogical theory with technology to enhance personalized learning outcomes.
5. Investigate Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in IoT Devices
Subject/Field: Cybersecurity, Internet of Things
Experience Level: Advanced
Prior Knowledge Required: Understanding of network protocols and security principles
Drawbacks: Handling ethical considerations and ensuring responsible disclosure of findings.
This project involves analyzing the security flaws in commonly used Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as smart speakers, home cameras, and thermostats. You'll identify vulnerabilities, test exploits, and suggest strategies to mitigate these risks. It’s an excellent research avenue for students interested in cybersecurity, privacy, and the increasing integration of devices in everyday life. This project will strengthen your skills in ethical hacking and vulnerability assessment.
6. Develop an Algorithm for Optimizing Public Transportation Routes
Subject/Field: Algorithms, Urban Planning
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prior Knowledge Required: Knowledge of graph theory and optimization techniques
Drawbacks/challenges: Modeling complex transportation networks and integrating real-time data.
You will design and code an algorithm that minimizes travel time and maximizes route efficiency for buses, trains, or other forms of public transport. You'll simulate routes and analyze performance metrics to propose improvements. Ideal for students who enjoy working with algorithms and mathematical problem-solving, this project merges computer science with urban infrastructure challenges.
7. Explore the Use of Blockchain in Secure Voting Systems
Subject/Field: Blockchain Technology, Political Science
Experience Level: Advanced
Prior Knowledge Required: Understanding of blockchain principles and cryptographic security
Drawbacks: Addressing scalability and accessibility challenges associated with blockchain implementation.
This research project will guide you through the potential of blockchain as a tamper-proof digital ledger to secure electronic voting. You will explore consensus mechanisms, smart contracts, and data integrity protocols. This project is ideal for students interested in government transparency, security, and how decentralized technologies can be used in critical systems. You'll also understand how to balance security with ease-of-use for the general public.
8. Create a Virtual Reality Experience for Historical Education
Subject/Field: Virtual Reality, History Education
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prior Knowledge Required: Skills in VR development platforms like Unity and historical research methods
In this project, you will develop a VR application that allows users to experience and interact with significant historical events or ancient civilizations. You will design virtual environments, scripts, and user experiences that educate and engage learners. This project is well-suited for students interested in combining technology and the humanities. It is an excellent introduction to VR development and educational design.
9. Analyze Social Media Data to Predict Public Health Trends
Subject/Field: Data Science, Public Health
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prior Knowledge Required: Proficiency in data analysis tools like Python's pandas and understanding of epidemiology basics
Resources: Available social media datasets on Kaggle (https://www.kaggle.com/datasets)
Drawbacks: Ensuring data privacy and working with unstructured data.
In this project, you will collect and analyze social media data to identify early warning signs of public health issues such as flu outbreaks or COVID-19 trends. You will apply natural language processing techniques to detect patterns and correlations. This project is ideal for students interested in data science and health analytics, offering experience with real data and predictive modeling.
10. Develop a Game That Teaches Programming Concepts
Subject/Field: Game Development, Computer Science Education
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge Required: Basic programming skills and understanding of educational game design
You can create an engaging digital game introducing players to fundamental programming concepts such as loops, conditions, and variables. You will focus on making complex ideas accessible and fun while balancing game mechanics with learning goals. This project is excellent for students who like coding and enjoy making technology accessible.
11. Research the Impact of Screen Time on Cognitive Development
Subject/Field: Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prior Knowledge Required: Understanding of research methodologies and cognitive psychology
In this research project, you will investigate how varying amounts of screen time affect cognitive functions like memory, attention span, and decision-making in adolescents. You will design experiments, gather data, and analyze the results to draw evidence-based conclusions. This project is suited for students interested in psychology and the effects of technology on human behavior.
12. Implement a Machine Learning Model for Predictive Text Input
Subject/Field: Machine Learning, Human-Computer Interaction
Experience Level: Intermediate
Prior Knowledge Required: Familiarity with NLP models and user interface design
You can build a predictive text input system that learns from user habits to suggest relevant words or phrases, improving typing efficiency. You'll work on designing algorithms that optimize for speed and accuracy while maintaining privacy. This project is ideal for students keen on combining AI with improvements in practical user experience.
13. Study the Efficiency of Different Sorting Algorithms
Subject/Field: Algorithms, Computer Science Theory
Experience Level: Beginner
Prior Knowledge Required: Basic understanding of sorting algorithms and computational complexity
This project involves analyzing and comparing the performance of common sorting algorithms such as bubble sort, merge sort, and quicksort under various conditions and datasets. You will evaluate factors like time complexity and memory usage. This project is ideal for students new to computer science research, building foundational knowledge of algorithm design and evaluation.
14. Design a Wearable Device for Health Monitoring
Subject/Field: Embedded Systems, Biomedical Engineering
Experience Level: Advanced
Prior Knowledge Required: Skills in electronics, sensor integration, and data analysis
If you’re interested in medicine, consider creating a prototype wearable device that monitors health metrics such as heart rate, temperature, and movement patterns. You will design circuits, select sensors, and develop software to collect and analyze data. This project is ideal for students who want to explore engineering and health technology.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
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