Student Research Projects

This essay was written to shed light on an issue that still affects students and communities across the country—Native American mascots in schools. With the help of research and credible sources, this research aims at arguing why these mascots are harmful, outdated, and should be removed. The goal is to raise awareness, promote respect for all cultures, and encourage schools to create safe, inclusive environments for every student.

This research investigates how jasmine and lavender essential oils—widely known for their calming and stimulating properties—affect focus in high school students, a population often overlooked in aromatherapy studies. Unlike adults, adolescents experience distinct cognitive and emotional development, making their response to natural aids unique. This study is among the first to explore both the individual and combined effects of these oils on student focus, offering insights into noninvasive, low-cost, and eco-friendly alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions like ADHD medication. The findings support the potential for integrating essential oils into classroom environments to reduce stress, improve attention, and promote holistic well-being—especially in underserved educational settings.

Discover how we use the power of moving water to generate clean electricity! Our student-built model demonstrates how a spinning turbine powered by water can light up LED bulbs and move a small car. Through hands-on testing and creative design, we explored how renewable energy can help protect the planet—and learned why both renewable and backup energy sources matter.

Researchers explored how copper chloride affects the growth of maize (Zea mays). The study tested various concentrations of copper chloride to observe its impact on plant height, root length, and biomass. Results showed that while low concentrations of copper supported growth, higher levels had toxic effects, inhibiting development and reducing plant health. The findings highlight the fine line between nutrient and toxin in crop production.

This study examined how increasing concentrations of copper chloride (CuCl₂) negatively impact the growth of maize (Zea mays). Results showed that higher CuCl₂ levels significantly reduced shoot fresh weight, root length, and leaf production, indicating copper toxicity disrupts nutrient uptake and overall plant development. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and managing soil copper levels to ensure healthy crop growth and safeguard food production.

A study tested whether peppermint tea could improve memory in Alzheimer’s patients. Participants who drank peppermint tea showed no significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure compared to those who drank water. The results suggest that peppermint tea had no noticeable effect on memory performance or cognitive function. Despite its popularity, sipping peppermint may be more soothing than stimulating.

This 12-week study found that inhaling lavender oil improved sleep quality and increased heart rate variability—a marker of parasympathetic (relaxation) activity—in women aged 45–55 suffering from insomnia. Participants receiving lavender aromatherapy reported significantly better sleep compared to those in the control group, highlighting lavender’s potential as a natural, non-pharmaceutical treatment for menopausal sleep disturbances. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects and applicability to other populations.

Lavender oil was tested on mice to compare its hair-growth effects with minoxidil. Mice treated with LO showed up to 95% hair regrowth, deeper follicles, and thicker skin—without the organ weight gain seen in minoxidil-treated mice. Lavender oil promoted natural hair growth safely, suggesting it may be a gentle alternative worth testing in humans.

This study demonstrates that lavender inhalation sharpens physiological stress responses and cognitive performance during challenging mental tasks, while simultaneously reducing subjective feelings of stress. By increasing sympathetic activity and suppressing parasympathetic signals, lavender helps improve concentration under pressure, suggesting its potential for stress management in academic, work, and therapeutic environments.

Researchers studied 13 pregnant women to test if inhaling essential oils reduced stress and improved relaxation. The aromatherapy group showed lower anxiety, anger, and increased parasympathetic activity, suggesting both psychological and physiological benefits. Though promising, the small sample limits broad conclusions.

This study reveals lavender oil’s potential to improve memory, reduce anxiety, and ease depressive behaviors in rats—highlighting its promise as a natural treatment for cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions.

Research has found that a synthetic jasmine scent blend improved sleep quality by increasing total sleep time and reducing wake after sleep onset. While it didn’t enhance morning alertness, the study supports jasmine aromatherapy as a promising, drug-free aid for mild insomnia.

Explore how lavender oil and its compounds, linalool and borneol, reduce anxiety in mice using conflict-based behavioral tests. Results confirmed lavender’s anxiolytic effects, identifying linalool as the key active component.

This 2021 meta-analysis reviewed 37 studies to evaluate lavender’s impact on anxiety, depression, and physiological markers like blood pressure and cortisol. While most research lacked rigorous design, evidence showed that lavender significantly reduced self-reported anxiety levels (Hedges’ g = -0.72), regardless of how it was used (inhaled, applied, or taken orally). However, its effects on heart rate and cortisol were inconsistent. The findings support lavender as a promising natural remedy for anxiety and depression, but more high-quality, long-term research is needed to confirm its full therapeutic potential.

Studies have found that inhaling lavender essential oil reduced stress, heart rate, and blood pressure in students during exams. The study supports lavender aromatherapy as a simple, effective way to manage academic stress.

This randomized clinical trial tested whether lavender oil aromatherapy reduces exam-related stress in pharmacy students. Results showed both lavender and placebo groups had lower stress levels than the control group, but no difference between each other—suggesting a placebo effect, not a unique benefit from lavender. Though aromatherapy reduced stress, it wasn’t more effective than odorless oil. Future studies could explore alternative methods or long-term effects of lavender treatment.

This pilot study by Suzan Shahin (2024) investigates the physiological and psychological effects of inhaling lavender oil. Conducted under controlled conditions, the study explores lavender's potential as a natural therapeutic intervention to reduce stress, anxiety, and physiological arousal. Findings reveal that lavender inhalation led to decreased heart rate and reported anxiety levels, suggesting a calming effect on both body and mind. Though preliminary, the results support further research into aromatherapy’s potential in clinical and everyday settings to enhance mental well-being and stress management.

This study explores the relationship between perceived stress (PS) and short-form video application (SVA) addiction among 896 Chinese college students, examining how self-compensation motivation (SCM) and shyness influence this link. Researchers found that PS significantly increases SVA usage, especially in students with higher levels of shyness. SCM mediates this relationship, suggesting that stressed and shy individuals often turn to short-form videos for comfort, which heightens addiction risk. The findings underscore the need for stress-reduction interventions tailored to shy individuals to prevent SVA dependency and promote healthier coping mechanisms.

This study explores why TikTok users keep coming back, focusing on millennials and centennials. It finds that content sharing, creation, and user motivation drive platform “stickiness.” Millennials show higher engagement due to stronger social and interactive needs. The research highlights how these behaviors boost retention, offering insights for digital marketing and user experience design.

This study investigates whether action video game training enhances visual working memory (VWM). Over 30 hours, researchers compared an action game group to a control group using tasks like color recall and change detection. Results showed the action group significantly improved VWM capacity and precision, outperforming the control group with greater recall accuracy and reduced error. The action group also reported higher motivation and engagement, suggesting cognitive benefits are linked to both gameplay and interest. While gains were limited for complex tasks, the findings support action games as potential tools for cognitive enhancement, with implications for education and rehabilitation.

This study reveals that short video addiction in China peaks during high school due to stress, with peer pressure driving it in middle school and personality traits in college. Addiction harms academic performance and university admission rates, urging targeted interventions at each stage.

This study compares expert gamers to non-gamers to see if gaming sharpens the mind. Results show gamers have faster reaction times, better short-term memory, and stronger executive control. Video games—especially puzzle and action types—may be powerful tools for enhancing cognitive function and could even aid in memory-related therapies.

This study explores how mobile screen size impacts video-based learning and cognitive comprehension. Researchers tested screen sizes from 1.65 to 3.78 inches, finding that larger screens improve memory recall, reduce repetition, and enhance overall learning. Through origami tasks and comprehension assessments, the study shows that video-based instruction is more effective on medium to large screens. These findings suggest screen size plays a key role in the effectiveness of mobile learning tools and should be considered in educational technology design.

In response to the shift toward remote and flipped learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explored how video length influences student engagement and academic success in a college engineering course. The researchers found that short videos (8 minutes) significantly increased student engagement by 24.7% and led to nearly 9% higher exam scores compared to longer videos (55 minutes). Additionally, students using short videos demonstrated better concentration and memory retention. These results highlight the value of concise video content for enhancing learning outcomes in online education.

This article studies how changes in bone and cartilage contribute to osteoarthritis (OA). Burr found that increased mineral density in joint bones makes them stiffer, causing cartilage to wear down. Over time, this leads to pain, swelling, and joint damage. Experiments showed that repeated stress on joints causes cartilage loss that can’t be reversed. Understanding these changes helps develop treatments to slow OA progression.

This study examined how bacteria like E. coli and Pseudomonas strains change the pH of their surroundings during growth. Results showed that bacteria can regulate pH based on food sources and environmental conditions, highlighting their adaptability. These findings suggest potential uses in pollution cleanup and better lab cultivation methods.

Researchers discovered a new bacterium, Pedobacter schmidteae, in flatworms known for regenerating body parts. Genetic tests show it’s closely related but different from other Pedobacter species. This finding helps us understand how bacteria may support regeneration and ecosystem balance.

This study emphasizes the importance of high-quality, well-managed biospecimens in advancing personalized medicine. Using updated National Cancer Institute (NCI) guidelines, researchers found that standardized collection, handling, and storage methods greatly improve biospecimen quality and research reliability. The findings support the need for sustainable biobanking practices to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and future medical research.

This study looks at how watching short videos influences students’ attention and school performance. Researchers found that students who watch short videos for a little time don’t see much change in grades. However, those watching videos for over 4 hours daily showed a drop in grades and had trouble focusing and remembering information. The results suggest that too much video watching can hurt academic success. The study encourages healthier media habits to help students balance entertainment and learning.

This study explored how ammonium and inorganic carbon affect hydroponic tomato growth. Results showed that a balanced mix of nitrate and ammonium improved plant height, nutrient uptake, and fruit quality. These findings support sustainable hydroponic farming with optimized nutrient solutions for better yield and nutrition.

Most young adults lack basic financial skills to handle real-world money matters. Adding financial education to core subjects like math, social studies, and English helps students apply math to budgeting, understand economics, and communicate about money. Early financial learning lowers future debt and builds lifelong skills for independence. Despite challenges, teaching finance in schools prepares students for real-life financial decisions and reduces inequality.

Drug abuse remains a serious issue, especially among teens. Many use drugs to cope with stress, fit in, or due to lack of proper education. Current prevention programs often fail because they aren’t engaging or relatable. To reduce abuse, schools and communities must improve education by using real stories, interactive lessons, and involving families. Raising awareness through powerful media campaigns and offering safe, healthy alternatives for teens can help. Without strong, effective action, the crisis will continue to grow and hurt more lives.

Five different hydroponic methods were tested to see how they impact lettuce growth in urban farming. The Aeroponic System stood out for producing the tallest plants thanks to increased oxygen supply, while the Floating Raft System led in leaf quantity. The Nutrient Film Technique delivered the highest fresh and dry weights, indicating strong biomass growth. These findings provide practical guidance for optimizing lettuce cultivation based on specific growth goals.

This study examined how maximum height and key traits influence shoot growth in 44 species of woody trees and shrubs across Australian climates. Results showed that taller plants grow shoots faster in both length and diameter, especially in tropical regions. While hydraulic traits aided growth, biomechanical and leaf traits were less important. These insights help predict plant growth for conservation and climate adaptation efforts.

This study examined how artificial light pollution delays leaf coloring and leaf fall in urban trees in Slovakia. Higher light levels, especially under cloudy skies, prolonged seasonal changes, disrupting natural tree cycles and highlighting ecological impacts of urban lighting.

This study explored how chewing gum affects memory recall by testing undergraduate students’ ability to remember word lists under different conditions. Results showed that chewing gum during both learning and recall phases improved memory retention, especially after 24 hours. Consistent gum chewing was more effective than just sucking gum or no gum at all, suggesting that the act of chewing supports cognitive function. These findings highlight the potential of chewing gum as a simple strategy to boost memory performance.

This study explored how chewing gum affects memory performance during learning and recall. Researchers found that participants who chewed gum during both phases remembered more words than those who didn’t, with delayed recall also showing improvements. The findings suggest that the act of chewing—not just the flavor—may enhance cognitive function and memory retention.

This research explores how coco soil, sawdust, and pumice impact the growth and quality of hydroponically grown strawberries. Coco soil improved moisture retention and early growth, while pumice enhanced fruit quality through better drainage. The study highlights the benefits of using mixed organic substrates for more sustainable and productive strawberry cultivation.

This study evaluated how different organic substrates—100% pumice, sawdust, coco soil, and their mixtures—affect hydroponically grown strawberries. Results showed coco soil significantly improved early leaf growth and photosynthesis due to better moisture retention and CO₂ regulation, while pumice enhanced fruit production through superior drainage. Sawdust was cost-effective but worked best when mixed with other substrates. Overall, coco soil and mixed substrates promoted healthier plants and higher yields, suggesting sustainable alternatives for hydroponic fruit cultivation in resource-limited environments.

The ecological footprint measures how much we consume versus what Earth can sustain. The average U.S. footprint exceeds its resources by 110%, driven by high energy use, fossil fuels, meat-heavy diets, and waste. Countries like Germany and Sweden show that renewable energy and conservation can reduce impact. Adopting energy efficiency, sustainable transport, plant-based diets, and less waste can help create a more sustainable future.

Our planet is under pressure due to excessive resource consumption and waste, especially in highly industrialized countries like the U.S. The ecological footprint reveals how lifestyle choices—such as reliance on fossil fuels, high meat consumption, and single-use products—strain Earth’s capacity. Learning from nations committed to renewable energy and sustainability, we can reduce our impact by changing habits around energy use, transportation, diet, and waste management to protect the environment for future generations.

This project involves creating a scale model of the Whitestone Bridge using the scientific method. The dimensions of the actual bridge were scaled down to construct a 6.5 feet long and 3 feet 3 inches high model. The materials used included balsa wood, basswood sheets, wooden dowels, hot glue sticks, fairy lights, stainless steel wire, and toothpicks. This presentation outlines the the challenges engineers face in creating a structurally strong bridge and aesthetic design.

This research paper explores the physical and mental health benefits of running, a low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise. It examines how running positively impacts major body systems—cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and skeletal—while also addressing potential risks. Supported by scientific studies and government health data, the paper highlights how regular running can improve mood, reduce disease risk, and promote a healthier, longer life.

Discover the powerful benefits of running for your body and mind! From improving heart and lung health to boosting mood, brain function, and overall longevity, running is a simple, accessible exercise that supports a healthier lifestyle. Learn how regular running strengthens major body systems and promotes long-term well-being.

Explore the fascinating world of rocks and minerals with "Rock On: A Guide to Rocks and Minerals." This engaging and informative guide introduces readers to the building blocks of Earth—minerals—and explains how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks form, change, and connect through the rock cycle. Perfect for students and curious minds alike, this guide makes Earth science both accessible and exciting.

This study explores how essential oils—specifically jasmine and lavender—affect the focus of high school students. While jasmine is known to stimulate alertness and lavender promotes relaxation, the combined effects of these oils on adolescents had not been previously tested. Given that teenage brains are still developing—especially in areas responsible for focus—this research aimed to uncover whether natural aromatherapy could serve as a non-invasive, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional focus-enhancing medications. The findings contribute to the growing conversation around natural remedies in education, especially for underserved schools seeking holistic ways to support student attention and academic performance.