5 answers
Norbert
Student
Newark, New Jersey
6
Questions
Updated
1012 views
How to identify a problem for a passion project?
I am trying to start a passion project, but I'm having trouble picking/finding a problem to solve. For me, it's the hardest part. So, do you have any tips or something else that can help me identify a problem I can use for a passion project? I want my passion project to be mathematics, physics/science, and technology because I am interested in those topics. It also has to be a problem that doesn't require any money or a very small amount. I'm in middle school/8th grade. I want to become a mechanical engineer who studied at Caltech or MIT. I hope this information helps.
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5 answers
John Easton CEng FIET FBCS CITP
Design large computer systems for companies
53
Answers
Winchester, England, United Kingdom
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Norbert
Much as I hate to say this, you can't "force" this. You will know when you are passionate about something so this isn't something you can just make up. It's the same with inventing. Most people can't (certainly I can't) just sit down and decide that today I'm going to invent something. They have to wait until they find a problem that needs a solution finding for it. I think this is a similar thing. I would read a lot, watch the news, see what is going on in the world and look for those things that annoy you or you think can be done better. That's probably where you will find you passion project.
Much as I hate to say this, you can't "force" this. You will know when you are passionate about something so this isn't something you can just make up. It's the same with inventing. Most people can't (certainly I can't) just sit down and decide that today I'm going to invent something. They have to wait until they find a problem that needs a solution finding for it. I think this is a similar thing. I would read a lot, watch the news, see what is going on in the world and look for those things that annoy you or you think can be done better. That's probably where you will find you passion project.
Josh Overton
Telecom
5
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Josh’s Answer
Idea #1: Mathematical Models for Community Problem-Solving
Project: Develop mathematical models to identify and solve a community issue, such as optimizing resource distribution for food banks or improving local traffic flow to reduce congestion and pollution.
Action Steps:
Identify a local problem that can be addressed with mathematical modeling (e.g., waste management, traffic flow).
Research existing models and connect with a local university’s mathematics department for mentorship.
Use mathematical software (like MATLAB or Python with libraries such as NumPy) to create simulations.
Partner with local organizations to implement your model and track results.
Organize community workshops to educate others on the use of mathematics in problem-solving.
Scale Impact: Present your findings to the city council or at community events, and publish a guide on how other communities can implement similar models.
Idea #2: Eco-Math Project: Reducing Carbon Footprints
Project: Calculate and reduce the carbon footprint of your school or a local business using mathematical analysis.
Action Steps:
Conduct a carbon footprint analysis for your school or a local business.
Develop a plan to reduce the carbon footprint using mathematically driven strategies (e.g., reducing energy consumption, optimizing routes for deliveries).
Implement the plan in collaboration with the school administration or business owners.
Measure the outcomes and create an informative campaign about the importance of carbon footprint reduction.
Scale Impact: Share a case study of your project’s success and offer to help other institutions with similar analysis and planning.
Idea #3: Math Tutoring and Educational Access Initiative
Project: Create a tutoring program that offers free math tutoring and educational resources to underprivileged students.
Action Steps:
Start a tutoring program, potentially using your existing extracurricular network, where math skills are taught to students in need.
Develop a range of resources, including videos, worksheets, and interactive tools, to support learning.
Use social media and community outreach to attract volunteers and learners.
Organize fundraising events to support the logistics of the program.
Scale Impact: Build an online platform to extend your tutoring services globally and offer downloadable resources for self-study.
Idea #4: Math in Nature: Educational Workshops and Exhibits
Project: Design and host interactive workshops and exhibits to teach community members about the role of mathematics in understanding nature, such as fractals in plants or Fibonacci sequences in shells.
Action Steps:
Research the intersection of mathematics and nature to develop workshop content.
Partner with local parks, schools, or museums to host your workshops and exhibits.
Create engaging materials and activities to make mathematics accessible and enjoyable.
Document the project and create a virtual exhibit for broader reach.
Scale Impact: Turn the project into a traveling exhibit to reach more communities and consider publishing a book or guide for schools to use.
Idea #5: Mathematics of Personal Finance: Community Workshops
Project: Offer workshops to teach community members essential mathematics for managing personal finances, including budgeting, investing, and understanding loans.
Action Steps:
Develop workshop materials that translate complex financial concepts into understandable math lessons.
Collaborate with local banks or financial advisors to co-host events.
Promote the workshops to ensure a diverse group of attendees, especially targeting those who might lack access to financial education.
Create online resources to reach a larger audience.
Scale Impact: Develop a scalable workshop model that can be implemented in schools, community centers, and online platforms worldwide.
Idea #6: Mathematical Environmental Impact Analyzer
Project: Develop an accessible software tool that uses mathematical models to predict environmental impacts of local projects or personal habits. This tool could help users understand how their actions could contribute to carbon emissions, deforestation, and other environmental issues.
Action Steps:
Start by researching existing environmental mathematical models.
Partner with a local university or environmental organization for mentorship and resources.
Learn a programming language necessary for developing the tool (like Python).
Create a minimum viable product and test it within your community.
Collaborate with schools to integrate your tool into their environmental science curriculum.
Idea #7: Math Mentoring Program
Project: Establish a math mentoring program where high school students offer tutoring and mentorship to younger students struggling with math, using creative, real-world problem-solving techniques.
Action Steps:
Recruit a team of fellow high school students with a strong background in math.
Partner with local schools to identify students in need.
Develop a curriculum that applies mathematical concepts to real-world problems.
Use online platforms to scale the project, offering virtual tutoring sessions.
Track and analyze the program’s effectiveness on student performance using statistical methods.
Idea #8: Mathematical Epidemiology Awareness Project
Project: Use mathematical models of disease spread to develop an educational campaign that promotes understanding of public health and epidemiology, aiming to improve community response to outbreaks.
Action Steps:
Study mathematical models used in epidemiology.
Create educational materials that explain these models in accessible language.
Partner with health organizations to disseminate these materials.
Organize community workshops or webinars to teach these concepts.
Evaluate the project’s impact by surveying participants’ understanding before and after the workshops.
Idea #9: Waste Reduction Statistical Analysis Campaign
Project: Conduct a statistical analysis of waste production in your community and start a campaign to reduce it based on the findings, incorporating mathematical optimization techniques to propose solutions.
Action Steps:
Collect data on local waste management and recycling programs.
Perform statistical analysis to identify key areas of improvement.
Develop a targeted waste-reduction campaign, using mathematically optimized strategies.
Work with local businesses and schools to implement these strategies.
Document the impact and publish a report to encourage broader adoption.
Idea 10: Microloan Impact Analysis Initiative
Project: Start an initiative that uses statistical analysis to measure the impact of microloans in developing countries, and use this to build a mathematically informed microloan program.
Action Steps:
Research the microloan landscape and existing impact studies.
Collaborate with a microfinance institution to access data for analysis.
Use statistical methods to measure the success and impact of microloans.
Develop a model for a microloan program informed by your findings.
Partner with schools and community groups to fundraise and provide loans, tracking the program’s success over time.
Project: Develop mathematical models to identify and solve a community issue, such as optimizing resource distribution for food banks or improving local traffic flow to reduce congestion and pollution.
Action Steps:
Identify a local problem that can be addressed with mathematical modeling (e.g., waste management, traffic flow).
Research existing models and connect with a local university’s mathematics department for mentorship.
Use mathematical software (like MATLAB or Python with libraries such as NumPy) to create simulations.
Partner with local organizations to implement your model and track results.
Organize community workshops to educate others on the use of mathematics in problem-solving.
Scale Impact: Present your findings to the city council or at community events, and publish a guide on how other communities can implement similar models.
Idea #2: Eco-Math Project: Reducing Carbon Footprints
Project: Calculate and reduce the carbon footprint of your school or a local business using mathematical analysis.
Action Steps:
Conduct a carbon footprint analysis for your school or a local business.
Develop a plan to reduce the carbon footprint using mathematically driven strategies (e.g., reducing energy consumption, optimizing routes for deliveries).
Implement the plan in collaboration with the school administration or business owners.
Measure the outcomes and create an informative campaign about the importance of carbon footprint reduction.
Scale Impact: Share a case study of your project’s success and offer to help other institutions with similar analysis and planning.
Idea #3: Math Tutoring and Educational Access Initiative
Project: Create a tutoring program that offers free math tutoring and educational resources to underprivileged students.
Action Steps:
Start a tutoring program, potentially using your existing extracurricular network, where math skills are taught to students in need.
Develop a range of resources, including videos, worksheets, and interactive tools, to support learning.
Use social media and community outreach to attract volunteers and learners.
Organize fundraising events to support the logistics of the program.
Scale Impact: Build an online platform to extend your tutoring services globally and offer downloadable resources for self-study.
Idea #4: Math in Nature: Educational Workshops and Exhibits
Project: Design and host interactive workshops and exhibits to teach community members about the role of mathematics in understanding nature, such as fractals in plants or Fibonacci sequences in shells.
Action Steps:
Research the intersection of mathematics and nature to develop workshop content.
Partner with local parks, schools, or museums to host your workshops and exhibits.
Create engaging materials and activities to make mathematics accessible and enjoyable.
Document the project and create a virtual exhibit for broader reach.
Scale Impact: Turn the project into a traveling exhibit to reach more communities and consider publishing a book or guide for schools to use.
Idea #5: Mathematics of Personal Finance: Community Workshops
Project: Offer workshops to teach community members essential mathematics for managing personal finances, including budgeting, investing, and understanding loans.
Action Steps:
Develop workshop materials that translate complex financial concepts into understandable math lessons.
Collaborate with local banks or financial advisors to co-host events.
Promote the workshops to ensure a diverse group of attendees, especially targeting those who might lack access to financial education.
Create online resources to reach a larger audience.
Scale Impact: Develop a scalable workshop model that can be implemented in schools, community centers, and online platforms worldwide.
Idea #6: Mathematical Environmental Impact Analyzer
Project: Develop an accessible software tool that uses mathematical models to predict environmental impacts of local projects or personal habits. This tool could help users understand how their actions could contribute to carbon emissions, deforestation, and other environmental issues.
Action Steps:
Start by researching existing environmental mathematical models.
Partner with a local university or environmental organization for mentorship and resources.
Learn a programming language necessary for developing the tool (like Python).
Create a minimum viable product and test it within your community.
Collaborate with schools to integrate your tool into their environmental science curriculum.
Idea #7: Math Mentoring Program
Project: Establish a math mentoring program where high school students offer tutoring and mentorship to younger students struggling with math, using creative, real-world problem-solving techniques.
Action Steps:
Recruit a team of fellow high school students with a strong background in math.
Partner with local schools to identify students in need.
Develop a curriculum that applies mathematical concepts to real-world problems.
Use online platforms to scale the project, offering virtual tutoring sessions.
Track and analyze the program’s effectiveness on student performance using statistical methods.
Idea #8: Mathematical Epidemiology Awareness Project
Project: Use mathematical models of disease spread to develop an educational campaign that promotes understanding of public health and epidemiology, aiming to improve community response to outbreaks.
Action Steps:
Study mathematical models used in epidemiology.
Create educational materials that explain these models in accessible language.
Partner with health organizations to disseminate these materials.
Organize community workshops or webinars to teach these concepts.
Evaluate the project’s impact by surveying participants’ understanding before and after the workshops.
Idea #9: Waste Reduction Statistical Analysis Campaign
Project: Conduct a statistical analysis of waste production in your community and start a campaign to reduce it based on the findings, incorporating mathematical optimization techniques to propose solutions.
Action Steps:
Collect data on local waste management and recycling programs.
Perform statistical analysis to identify key areas of improvement.
Develop a targeted waste-reduction campaign, using mathematically optimized strategies.
Work with local businesses and schools to implement these strategies.
Document the impact and publish a report to encourage broader adoption.
Idea 10: Microloan Impact Analysis Initiative
Project: Start an initiative that uses statistical analysis to measure the impact of microloans in developing countries, and use this to build a mathematically informed microloan program.
Action Steps:
Research the microloan landscape and existing impact studies.
Collaborate with a microfinance institution to access data for analysis.
Use statistical methods to measure the success and impact of microloans.
Develop a model for a microloan program informed by your findings.
Partner with schools and community groups to fundraise and provide loans, tracking the program’s success over time.
Chittajit Mitra
Software engineer
2
Answers
Cupertino, California
Updated
Chittajit’s Answer
Hi Norbert,
I am impressed that you have such a clear sense of what you want to do even before starting high school.
Instead of looking for the one big idea, start with exploring smaller things and see where it leads you. Be ok to abandon ideas and move on to something else. We all learn from both failed and successful ideas.
Where do you start? Think about something you loathe doing and see if you can solve that problem. I'm sure the person who invented the electric toothbrush hated brushing his teeth!
Be curious about how any equipment or machinery around you works.
I am impressed that you have such a clear sense of what you want to do even before starting high school.
Instead of looking for the one big idea, start with exploring smaller things and see where it leads you. Be ok to abandon ideas and move on to something else. We all learn from both failed and successful ideas.
Where do you start? Think about something you loathe doing and see if you can solve that problem. I'm sure the person who invented the electric toothbrush hated brushing his teeth!
Chittajit recommends the following next steps:
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
150
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Norbert,
Your dilemma is quite common and should therefore not worry you a great deal.
For any project, the initiation phase always starts with identification of needs: human needs, process improvements, new methodologies, technological improvements, improved tools etc. A business case (justification, feasibility study) forms part of this phase. Precise and compelling definition of the goal of the project, at this point, is essential as it provides both clarity and clear direction.
The next phase of a project is the planning phase. Designs, project activities, resources requirements, risk mitigation measures, timelines, procurement plans etc. are all developed during this planning process.
Execution covers the next two project phases: Build phase and Operationalization.
The build phase involves putting things together to create the desired output. Specifications play an important role at this stage: strict adherence to them is paramount as this minimizes risks and waste due to rejects and rework. Commissioning usually is the last activity of the build phase. Checking out the functionality of what has been built is important to confirm conformance to customer requirements. On completion of commissioning, the project moves to the next phase.
Handover of project to the client is the beginning of the Operationalization phase. Beneficial use of project output by the client confirms whether all critical project requirements have been met or not. In practice, some minor changes do take place at this stage of the project in order to ensure full acceptance by the customer.
Full acceptance by the client leads to the Close-out phase of the project. This happens to be the last phase of a project. Executing party , however, takes full liability during the guarantee period. A detailed post project review is done at this stage to establish what went well and what didn't. Positive learning's are incorporated into project manuals as part of the drive for continuous improvement. Root cause analysis is done on aspects that didn't go well. Loop closure for identified root causes ensures the next project is better managed.
Your dilemma is quite common and should therefore not worry you a great deal.
For any project, the initiation phase always starts with identification of needs: human needs, process improvements, new methodologies, technological improvements, improved tools etc. A business case (justification, feasibility study) forms part of this phase. Precise and compelling definition of the goal of the project, at this point, is essential as it provides both clarity and clear direction.
The next phase of a project is the planning phase. Designs, project activities, resources requirements, risk mitigation measures, timelines, procurement plans etc. are all developed during this planning process.
Execution covers the next two project phases: Build phase and Operationalization.
The build phase involves putting things together to create the desired output. Specifications play an important role at this stage: strict adherence to them is paramount as this minimizes risks and waste due to rejects and rework. Commissioning usually is the last activity of the build phase. Checking out the functionality of what has been built is important to confirm conformance to customer requirements. On completion of commissioning, the project moves to the next phase.
Handover of project to the client is the beginning of the Operationalization phase. Beneficial use of project output by the client confirms whether all critical project requirements have been met or not. In practice, some minor changes do take place at this stage of the project in order to ensure full acceptance by the customer.
Full acceptance by the client leads to the Close-out phase of the project. This happens to be the last phase of a project. Executing party , however, takes full liability during the guarantee period. A detailed post project review is done at this stage to establish what went well and what didn't. Positive learning's are incorporated into project manuals as part of the drive for continuous improvement. Root cause analysis is done on aspects that didn't go well. Loop closure for identified root causes ensures the next project is better managed.
Mario Ramirez
Leader, Customer Delivery
43
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Mario’s Answer
Hey Norbert, that's awesome! It's great to see you connecting what you love with your passion and career; that’s going to lead you to the best journey of your life.
I want to share some management insights that have really helped me out.
Think long-term! Sometimes we rush to solve problems without considering the long-term effects. Take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about what else might be impacted instead of just rushing to fix things.
Make sure you're addressing the real problem, not just a symptom. A lot of the time we go for quick fixes, but those usually just cover up the symptom or a problem without tackling the root cause. By thinking long-term and focusing on real issues, you’ll be better positioned to discover and pursue your passion.
Hope this helps!
Cheers!
I want to share some management insights that have really helped me out.
Think long-term! Sometimes we rush to solve problems without considering the long-term effects. Take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about what else might be impacted instead of just rushing to fix things.
Make sure you're addressing the real problem, not just a symptom. A lot of the time we go for quick fixes, but those usually just cover up the symptom or a problem without tackling the root cause. By thinking long-term and focusing on real issues, you’ll be better positioned to discover and pursue your passion.
Hope this helps!
Cheers!