Environmental Science Research for High School Students

Environmental science is one of the most impactful fields for high school research.

Climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, sustainable solutions—these aren't just academic topics. They're urgent problems where even high school students can contribute meaningful work.

This guide shows you how to do publishable environmental research.

Why Environmental Science?

Advantages for High School Students

1. Real-world relevance: Your research addresses actual problems
2. Accessible data: Abundant public datasets and local observation opportunities
3. Local angles: Study your own community's environmental issues
4. Interdisciplinary: Combines biology, chemistry, physics, data science
5. Growing field: Increasing demand for environmental solutions
6. Impactful: Your work could influence policy or behavior

What You Can Study

• Climate and weather: Temperature trends, extreme events, urban heat
• Ecology: Species populations, biodiversity, habitat health
• Pollution: Air quality, water quality, soil contamination
• Conservation: Habitat restoration, species protection, land use
• Sustainability: Renewable energy, waste reduction, green technology
• Environmental justice: Pollution disparities, access to green spaces
• Human behavior: Environmental attitudes, conservation behaviors

Types of Environmental Research Projects

1. Data Analysis Projects

Analyzing existing environmental datasets.

Best for: Students who prefer computational work over fieldwork

Example projects:

• "Analyzing 30-year temperature trends in the Great Lakes region"
• "Correlation between air quality index and asthma hospitalization rates"
• "Satellite imagery analysis of deforestation patterns"

Data sources:

• NOAA Climate Data
• EPA Air Quality Data
• USGS Water Data
• NASA Earth Data

2. Field Studies

Collecting original data in natural environments.

Best for: Students who enjoy outdoor work and hands-on research

Example projects:

• "Biodiversity assessment of urban vs. suburban streams"
• "Impact of road salt on roadside vegetation health"
• "Bird population changes in restored wetlands"

Considerations:

• Access to field sites
• Sampling equipment needs
• Time commitment for data collection
• Weather dependencies

3. Experimental Research

Controlled experiments on environmental factors.

Best for: Students with access to lab space or controlled environments

Example projects:

• "Effects of microplastics on plant growth rates"
• "Comparing bioremediation methods for oil-contaminated soil"
• "Testing natural alternatives to chemical pesticides"

Requirements:

• Controlled conditions
• Replication
• Appropriate controls

4. Modeling and Simulation

Creating models to predict environmental outcomes.

Best for: Students with programming skills

Example projects:

• "Agent-based model of invasive species spread"
• "Predicting flood risk under climate change scenarios"
• "Simulating solar panel efficiency across different roof orientations"

Tools:

• Python (with scientific libraries)
• R (statistical modeling)
• NetLogo (agent-based modeling)
• GIS software (spatial analysis)

5. Technology Development

Creating tools or solutions for environmental problems.

Best for: Students interested in engineering and innovation

Example projects:

• "Low-cost air quality sensor network for schools"
• "App for reporting and tracking local pollution"
• "Improved design for small-scale water filtration"

Research Methods in Environmental Science

Sampling and Data Collection

Random sampling: Every location/time has equal chance of selection Systematic sampling: Regular intervals (every 10 meters, every hour) Stratified sampling: Dividing area into zones, sampling each

Key principles:

• Document methodology exactly
• Maintain consistent protocols
• Record conditions during sampling
• Plan sample size for statistical validity

Statistical Analysis

Common analyses in environmental research:

• Descriptive statistics: Mean, median, standard deviation
• Correlation: Relationships between variables
• Regression: Predicting outcomes
• ANOVA: Comparing groups
• Time series analysis: Trends over time
• Spatial analysis: Geographic patterns

GIS and Mapping

Geographic Information Systems are powerful for environmental research:

• Mapping pollution sources
• Analyzing land use changes
• Identifying spatial patterns
• Combining multiple data layers

Free GIS tools:

• QGIS (powerful, open-source)
• Google Earth Engine (cloud-based)
• ArcGIS Online (free for students)

Finding Your Research Question

Start with Observation

Look around your community:

• What environmental issues do you notice?
• What changes have you seen over time?
• What problems need solutions?

Check the Literature

Search for existing research:

• What's been studied in your area?
• What gaps exist?
• What methods have others used?

Where to search:

• Google Scholar
• Environmental Science & Technology
• USGS Publications

Ask Good Questions

Strong environmental research questions are:

• Specific: Not "climate change" but "urban heat island effect in Phoenix during 2023 heat waves"
• Measurable: You can collect data to answer it
• Original: Adds something new (new location, time, variable, method)
• Significant: Why does this matter?

Example Question Development

Broad interest: Water pollution

Narrowed topic: Agricultural runoff in local waterways

Research question: "How does proximity to agricultural land affect nitrate concentrations in streams of [County] during the growing season?"

Project Ideas by Topic

Climate and Weather

• Urban heat island mapping using temperature sensors
• Analysis of extreme weather frequency trends in your region
• Comparing climate model predictions to observed data
• Local phenology study (when do plants bloom/migrate?)

Water Quality

• Testing for microplastics in local water sources
• Mapping water quality parameters across a watershed
• Impact of stormwater runoff on stream health
• Comparing filtration methods for specific contaminants

Air Quality

• Building low-cost air quality sensors
• Mapping pollution variation within your city
• Indoor vs. outdoor air quality in schools
• Correlation between traffic patterns and air pollution

Ecology and Biodiversity

• Pollinator diversity in urban vs. rural gardens
• Impact of light pollution on insect populations
• Invasive species mapping and spread analysis
• Biodiversity comparison in different habitat types

Sustainability

• Life cycle analysis of common products
• Solar panel efficiency factors in your region
• Food waste audit and reduction strategies
• Comparing sustainable packaging alternatives

Environmental Justice

• Mapping pollution sources relative to demographic data
• Access to green spaces across neighborhoods
• Heat vulnerability in low-income communities
• Environmental health disparities analysis

Data Sources for Environmental Research

Climate and Weather Data

• NOAA Climate Data Online
• Weather Underground
• Berkeley Earth
• NASA POWER

Air Quality Data

• EPA AirData
• PurpleAir (citizen science sensors)
• OpenAQ

Water Quality Data

• EPA STORET
• USGS Water Data
• [Local water utility reports]

Ecological Data

• GBIF (biodiversity data)
• iNaturalist
• eBird

Satellite and Remote Sensing

• NASA Worldview
• Google Earth Engine
• Sentinel Hub

Equipment and Resources

Low-Cost Field Equipment

• Water testing: pH strips, test kits ($10-50)
• Temperature: Digital thermometers, data loggers ($20-100)
• Air quality: Low-cost sensors (PurpleAir: ~$250)
• Soil: pH meters, sampling tools ($20-50)
• Observation: Notebooks, cameras, GPS (phone works)

Free Software

• Statistics: R, Python (pandas, scipy)
• GIS: QGIS, Google Earth Engine
• Data visualization: Matplotlib, ggplot2
• Modeling: NetLogo, Python

Accessing Lab Equipment

If you need more sophisticated equipment:

• Partner with local university
• Contact environmental agencies
• Check if your school has science equipment
• Some analyses can be outsourced affordably

Science Fair Success in Environmental Science

What Judges Look For

1. Original question: Not a standard classroom experiment
2. Rigorous methods: Proper sampling, controls, replication
3. Data quality: Sufficient data for conclusions
4. Analysis: Appropriate statistics
5. Significance: Why does this matter?
6. Communication: Can you explain it clearly?

Strong vs. Weak Environmental Projects

Weak: "Testing if plants grow better with music"

• Overdone topic
• Hard to control variables
• Limited significance

Strong: "Impact of urban green infrastructure on localized temperature reduction"

• Original angle
• Clear methodology
• Real-world relevance
• Measurable outcomes

Common Environmental Project Mistakes

1. Insufficient sampling: Need enough data points for statistics
2. No control group: What are you comparing against?
3. Ignoring confounding variables: What else could explain results?
4. Overgeneralization: Your results apply to your specific context
5. Weak significance: "So what?" should have a good answer

Getting Expert Guidance

Environmental research benefits from mentorship to:

• Refine your research question
• Design appropriate methodology
• Navigate data analysis
• Connect to publication opportunities

The YRI Fellowship provides:

• 1:1 PhD mentorship: Work with environmental scientists
• Research design support: Get methodology right
• Publication guidance: Submit to appropriate journals
• Competition preparation: Win environmental science fairs

Learn more about YRI's mentorship approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do environmental research without special equipment? Yes. Many impactful projects use free public datasets, low-cost sensors, or simple field observations. Computational analysis of existing data requires only a computer.

Do I need to do fieldwork? Not necessarily. Data analysis projects using existing datasets can be just as rigorous and impactful as field studies.

What makes environmental research publishable? Original question, rigorous methodology, sufficient data, appropriate analysis, and clear significance. Local studies are valuable if they add new knowledge.

How do I handle seasonal limitations? Plan your project around seasons. Winter projects might focus on data analysis, summer on field collection. Some questions require full-year data.

Can I study my local area? Absolutely. Local studies are valuable—they add geographic breadth to scientific knowledge and may have community impact.

Where can I publish environmental research? The Journal of Emerging Investigators accepts high school work. Your mentor can help identify appropriate venues for your specific topic.

Next Steps

1. Explore your interests: What environmental issues do you care about?
2. Survey data sources: What data is available for your area of interest?
3. Develop your question: Narrow to something specific and feasible
4. Plan your methodology: How will you collect or analyze data?
5. Get mentorship: Expert guidance improves research quality

Apply to YRI Fellowship →

Related guides:

• How to Do Research in High School
• How to Choose a Research Topic
• How to Win Science Fairs