Summer 2009
Here are the research topics for this summer. To go directly to your group's topic, just click on its number in the table below.
If you still need access to the spring research topics, click here.
Check out our research links page for help getting started and hyperlinks to some popular science magazines and search engines.
Research Paper Topics
Summer 2007
Group 1 — Should the Constellation program currently under design at NASA come to fruition, it could mean colonization of the moon. How do scientists plan to do this and how long will it take? What part have recent discoveries about Mars played in moving forward with this newest plan to explore the cosmos? What is the reason for establishing homes on the moon? What is the ultimate goal of the Constellation program?
Group 2 — What is the difference between a black hole and a naked singularity? Fully explain what defines each of these and how they form. How does each cosmic event reveal its presence to physicists? Are there any other forms of cosmic life created by stellar collapse?
Group 3 — What is nanomedicine? How can it be used to improve upon diagnosis and treatment of disease in humans? What will it mean to humans for this systems approach to medicine to be implemented? How far away are we from using nanomedicine to diagnose and treat disease? How will nanoparticles be customized for each patient?
Group 4 — Profile Charles Darwin. Where and how did he come up with his Theory of Evolution? Has that theory withstood the test of time? How has his theory been broadened through the years as we gain more and more insights into evolution and genetic makeup, specifically the work of Gregor Mendel, James Watson and Francis Crick?
Group 5 — What is natural selection? How does it work? How does genetic mutation enter the picture? What is neutral evolution and genetic drift and how do they influence natural selection? Profile a species that has clearly benefited from natural selection.
Group 6 — What is renewable energy? Profile three forms of renewable energy in use today. Choose from solar (both thermal and photo voltaic), wind, geothermal or ocean. How can we best use these renewable energy sources to fuel our power needs now and into the future? How do we store this energy to use it most efficiently?
Group 7 — Why are we suddenly facing the re-emergence of diseases such as tuberculosis and small pox? Have these newly emerged diseases changed any from what we knew in the past? How are we trying to keep them at bay? Talk about tuberculosis and what it is doing to humans all over the world. Are there any new treatment strategies on the horizon?
Group 8 — “Dead zones,” areas of our oceans devoid of life, have been increasing as global warming sparks further climate change. What exactly causes these dead zones? How are they affecting ocean life? Are they also affecting adjacent land areas? What needs to be done to halt this increase in ocean hypoxia? Can these areas be revived?
Group 9 — What is Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA)? How did it come to exist and what is it used for? As we learn to use PNA, what potential benefits can we look for? Elaborate.
Group 10 — Discuss the planets. What is the new definition of a planet, as put forth last August by the International Astronomical Union (IAU)? Why does Pluto no longer fit this definition? Into what category does Pluto now fit? Explain the Taxonomy of Celestial Bodies as it now exists (object, definition), including primary objects, secondary objects, tertiary objects, debris and rogue planets.
Group 11 What is an autoantibody? What does it do and how could it one day be used to predict the onset of disease in the body? What diseases might benefit from the study of autoantibodies? Profile two of these diseases and how they arise.
Group 12 What is Pleistocene overkill? Why are conservationists now proposing restoring the balance destroyed by this overkill in North America 13,000 years ago? How do they propose accomplishing this and why do they think restoring mega fauna to the continent is important? What are some problems that could arise with this Pleistocene rewilding?
Group 13 Biotechnology is being used to produce crops in greater quantities and better suited for survival in areas of need throughout the world. How is biotechnology being used in agriculture? What has been the result? Are there any drawbacks? Can these be overcome? Explain.