35 Capstone Project Ideas for High School Seniors
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 13
- 8 min read
As a high school senior, it is a good idea to pursue opportunities that showcase your academic skills in a tangible way. A capstone project is one of the best opportunities to do this. Completing a capstone project allows you to explore a subject of interest, tackle interdisciplinary problems, and create a final product that reflects months of dedication.
Completing a capstone project not only enriches your knowledge but also strengthens your resume and college applications. Admissions officers value students who demonstrate initiative and critical thinking—qualities that a capstone project showcases. Additionally, many competitive summer research programs seek students who’ve already shown independent academic effort, making a capstone project a valuable asset.
What is a capstone project? How is it different from a regular project?
A capstone project is a comprehensive, months-long academic assignment that requires you to apply a range of skills and knowledge. Unlike a regular school project that might be completed in a week or two, capstone projects are in-depth, often interdisciplinary, and require research, planning, and execution over a longer period. They incorporate multiple concepts learned throughout the year (or even throughout high school), and can involve original research, experimentation, or the creation of a product or report.
Why should I do a capstone project as a high school senior?
Taking on a capstone project as a high school senior helps you grow academically and personally. You’ll develop essential skills such as time management, academic writing, research, problem-solving, and critical thinking. You’ll also get better at organizing information, setting goals, and working independently. For college applications, a capstone project provides tangible proof of your interests, commitment, and capabilities. It shows admissions committees that you can manage long-term projects and are committed to learning outside the classroom. Since you're at the end of high school, this is also your chance to synthesize what you’ve learned over the years into a final academic endeavor.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled 35 capstone project ideas for high school seniors across subjects in STEM, social science, and the humanities.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
1. Create an app that helps students manage their mental health.Design a mobile application that offers features like mood tracking, journaling, or breathing exercises. You’ll practice UI/UX design and basic programming skills.Ideal for: Students interested in psychology or computer science.Drawbacks: Requires coding knowledge.Tips: Use tools like MIT App Inventor or Flutter if you're a beginner.
2. Build a robot to assist the elderly with simple tasks.Construct a robotic arm or smart assistant that can help with daily activities such as medication reminders or object retrieval. Learn about mechanical design, coding, and sensors.Ideal for: Engineering enthusiasts.Drawbacks: Expensive materials.Tips: Start with Arduino or Raspberry Pi kits.
3. Design a website that teaches a STEM concept through interactive elements.Pick a subject (like the periodic table or Newton’s laws) and create an engaging site with animations and quizzes. Gain skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.Ideal for: Students interested in science communication.Drawbacks: Time-consuming front-end work.Tips: Use platforms like Wix or Webflow if you don’t want to code.
4. Analyze local air or water quality and propose solutions.Collect and compare samples using simple testing kits. Then suggest eco-friendly solutions for local pollution problems.Ideal for: Environmental science students.Drawbacks: May need community support or access to equipment.Tips: Document findings through charts and graphs.
5. Build a low-cost water filtration system.Use household items to create a functional water filter, and test its effectiveness on different water samples.Ideal for: Chemistry and environmental science students.Drawbacks: Access to safe testing resources.Tips: Use activated charcoal, sand, and gravel for prototyping.
6. Research and test biodegradable alternatives to plastic.Create prototypes using materials like starch, gelatin, or algae and compare their durability to traditional plastics.Ideal for: Chemistry or environmental science students.Drawbacks: Materials may be hard to find.Tips: Keep samples under various environmental conditions.
7. Build a model of a smart greenhouse.Design a controlled greenhouse using sensors to regulate temperature, humidity, and lighting.Ideal for: Students interested in agriculture or IoT.Drawbacks: Requires basic electronics knowledge.Tips: Arduino boards are great for automation.
8. Conduct a statistical study on student sleep patterns and academic performance.Survey your peers, analyze the data, and draw conclusions using basic statistics.Ideal for: Math and psychology students.Drawbacks: Results can be biased by small sample sizes.Tips: Use Google Forms for easy data collection.
9. Create a physics simulation game.Use game development tools to build a simulation illustrating key physics concepts like gravity or motion.Ideal for: Physics and computer science students.Drawbacks: Requires coding skills.Tips: Unity or Scratch can help depending on skill level.
10. Build a solar-powered phone charger.Assemble a charger that uses solar panels to power small devices, and test it under various light conditions.Ideal for: Engineering and environmental science students.Drawbacks: Needs some hardware knowledge.Tips: Use small panels and power banks to prototype.
Literature & Writing
11. Compare post-WWII themes in two novels from different countries. Analyze how different cultures processed the war’s aftermath through fiction. Skills: Literary analysis, comparative research, writing. Ideal for: Literature or history lovers. Drawbacks: May require reading dense or untranslated texts. Tips: Choose well-known authors to access more academic resources.
12. Write and publish a short story collection. Create 3–5 stories based on a central theme and self-publish online. Skills: Creative writing, editing, and publishing. Ideal for: Aspiring writers. Drawbacks: Time-consuming and subjective. Tips: Use platforms like Wattpad or Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
13. Explore the evolution of feminist themes in literature. Pick works from different decades and trace shifts in gender roles. Skills: Thematic analysis, historical context research. Ideal for: English and gender studies students. Drawbacks: Interpreting older texts may be challenging. Tips: Start with well-analyzed authors like Virginia Woolf or Margaret Atwood.
14. Develop a literary podcast analyzing classic novels. Choose one book per episode and record a commentary or discussion. Skills: Communication, analysis, and audio production. Ideal for: Students interested in media or literature. Drawbacks: Tech learning curve. Tips: Use free tools like Audacity or Anchor.fm.
15. Translate and annotate poetry from another language. Choose 5–10 poems and provide translated versions with notes. Skills: Language fluency, literary interpretation. Ideal for: Bilingual students or those in language AP courses. Drawbacks: Accuracy is essential. Tips: Work with a teacher or native speaker for feedback.
History & Social Sciences
16. Create a documentary on a local historical event. Interview community members and combine footage with research. Skills: Research, video editing, interviewing. Ideal for: History and journalism students. Drawbacks: Time and permissions required. Tips: Use Canva or WeVideo for easier editing.
17. Analyze the impact of colonialism on a modern nation. Trace how colonial rule affected today’s economics, politics, or culture. Skills: Historical analysis, synthesis, writing. Ideal for: World history students. Drawbacks: Complex research scope. Tips: Focus on a single country or aspect for depth.
18. Conduct a mock Supreme Court case based on a real trial. Research a case, assign roles, and run the trial simulation. Skills: Legal reasoning, public speaking, group coordination. Ideal for: Civics or debate students. Drawbacks: Needs group collaboration. Tips: Choose a case with accessible documentation.
19. Write a policy proposal to address a community issue. Research local challenges like public transport or youth programs, and draft a solution. Skills: Policy writing, community analysis. Ideal for: Students interested in public service. Drawbacks: May require interviews and data. Tips: Talk to local leaders or school board reps.
20. Study media bias in political reporting. Compare how various outlets cover the same issue. Skills: Media literacy, content analysis. Ideal for: Government or journalism students. Drawbacks: Requires critical neutrality. Tips: Use headlines from multiple countries for contrast.
Psychology & Sociology
21. Design a study on teen phone usage and anxiety. Survey peers and analyze correlations between screen time and mental health. Skills: Survey design, statistical analysis. Ideal for: Students interested in psychology. Drawbacks: Requires consent and ethical oversight. Tips: Use anonymized data to protect privacy.
22. Observe and analyze social dynamics in group settings. Track participation and behavior in different clubs or classrooms. Skills: Observation, ethnographic research. Ideal for: Sociology students. Drawbacks: Subjective conclusions. Tips: Record behaviors over several weeks for patterns.
23. Compare child development theories with real-life observations. Study a younger sibling or child and compare behavior to known theories. Skills: Developmental psychology, observation. Ideal for: AP Psych students. Drawbacks: Ethical limitations. Tips: Always get parental consent.
24. Explore the relationship between music genres and emotion. Survey peers’ mood changes while listening to various genres. Skills: Data collection, statistical analysis. Ideal for: Psych or music students. Drawbacks: Subjective results. Tips: Use visual analog scales for emotional tracking.
25. Research how social media affects identity formation in teens. Combine academic research with interviews. Skills: Literature review, analysis, interviewing. Ideal for: Sociology or psychology students. Drawbacks: Sensitive topic. Tips: Keep interviews anonymous and voluntary.
Business & Economics
26. Create a marketing plan for a student-run product or service. Design branding, pricing, and outreach strategies for a hypothetical or real business. Skills: Market research, communication. Ideal for: Business or economics students. Drawbacks: May need sales data or customer feedback. Tips: Use Canva or Google Surveys for visuals and analysis.
27. Study consumer behavior in teens through surveys. Identify spending habits, brand preferences, and saving behaviors. Skills: Statistical analysis, behavioral research. Ideal for: Economics or marketing students. Drawbacks: Survey quality impacts results. Tips: Use incentives to boost the response rate.
28. Simulate an investment portfolio and track it over 3 months. Pick stocks, ETFs, or crypto and write about your decisions and outcomes. Skills: Financial literacy, market research. Ideal for: Future finance majors. Drawbacks: Not real money—can reduce realism. Tips: Use Google Sheets or simulators like MarketWatch.
29. Write a white paper on the future of cryptocurrency. Analyze trends, risks, and adoption challenges. Skills: Research, technical writing. Ideal for: Business and tech students. Drawbacks: Fast-changing data. Tips: Focus on a single use case (e.g., blockchain in banking).
30. Develop a business plan for a startup solving a social problem. Create a full proposal for a product that tackles environmental or societal issues. Skills: Problem solving, entrepreneurship, writing. Ideal for: Business-minded students. Drawbacks: Hard to validate feasibility. Tips: Use the Business Model Canvas format.
Arts, Media, and Communication
31. Curate a virtual art exhibit on a theme like identity or climate change. Use existing or original pieces and write accompanying descriptions. Skills: Visual storytelling, curation, writing. Ideal for: Art or media students. Drawbacks: Must credit all sources. Tips: Use Google Sites or Canva for display.
32. Film a short documentary on student life post-COVID. Record real interviews and daily footage to reflect changed habits. Skills: Interviewing, filming, and narrative editing. Ideal for: Students interested in filmmaking or journalism. Drawbacks: Requires tech and consent. Tips: Use royalty-free music and get permission slips.
33. Design an infographic series on climate change for social media. Create digestible, well-researched visuals aimed at teen audiences. Skills: Design, science communication. Ideal for: Environmental or design students. Drawbacks: Social media algorithms may limit visibility. Tips: Use Canva or Adobe Express.
34. Write a media analysis of female representation in superhero films. Break down stereotypes, diversity, and character arcs. Skills: Media studies, critical writing. Ideal for: Students into film or gender studies. Drawbacks: May require watching multiple movies. Tips: Choose a few key franchises to focus on.
35. Compose a musical piece based on a social issue. Write and record a song or instrumental inspired by a topic like climate change or identity. Skills: Music composition, audio editing. Ideal for: Musicians and composers. Drawbacks: Requires instruments and recording tools. Tips: Use free software like GarageBand.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research as a capstone project, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Lumiere Education logo