The "digital divide" refers to the gap between privileged and underprivileged people as seen through their access to technology. Although technology has become more affordable, there is a lack of understanding of how to use it to its full advantage. Palo Alto High School provides students with Chromebooks, but these machines are dependent on wifi and lack significant standalone computer software. Perhaps a study that investigates the effects of using current technology resourcefully could remedy this situation. Access is not just about "having a computer." Factors like access to software programs, wifi at home, and support from parents can help make using technology actually effective.

This project's goal is to look at unhealthy female friendships and to determine whether negative behaviors that can often arise between girls—such as the exclusion of "friends" and gossiping—are intentional or subconscious. This project will also study the differences between male and female friendships, for better or for worse, and what causes these differences. Through the examination of data from student surveys and interviews, conclusions on the state of female friendships at Palo Alto High School will be made, and these conclusions will be published in an attempt to inform students about these toxic behaviors and to promote healthy friendships between girls.

Environmental racism is about the deliberate placement of environmental hazards such as toxic waste and treatment plants for toxic waste in minority and low-income neighborhoods. Despite federal laws that protect these people, environmental racism is still a factor in moder American life. This research project will examine federal laws pertaining to racial discrimination and environmental hazards, diversity in environmental organizations, minority neighborhoods, and health effects of living nears waste treatment plants and incinerators.

In recent years, China’s population of left-behind children (i.e., children who have at least one parent who has migrated to an urban area in search of employment to support the family) is on rise. Researchers have found a general trend of left-behind children’s emotional well-being and academic performance suffering negative effects due to the resulting lack of parental care. Also, as an increasing number of Chinese families decide to send their children abroad to the United States to receive better education, many find it difficult to assimilate to American culture. This hinders their academic achievements and community involvement. This project will investigate the impacts of lack of parental care on Chinese immigrant students' emotional well-being and academic achievements and compare the results to those of the left-behind children in rural China.

Our project analyzes political polarization in America. We built an algorithm that used phrases typically associated with Democrats or Republicans to try to determine which party a speech sample belongs to. We will run speeches from politicians that are in the minority political party in their state and see how accurate our algorithm is in determining the party of the speaker. We will compare this accuracy rate to the accuracy of our algorithm when presented with speeches that are in the majority political party.

Creativity carts are carts filled with arts and crafts supplies that are used in PAUSD elementary schools during creative sessions or lessons. I am going to administer surveys to teachers who participate in the creativity carts program to determine what additions can be made to the creativity carts to maximize their effectiveness, and how the creativity carts enhance the education of elementary school students. The goal of this project is to improve the creativity carts and increase their usage by students and classrooms.

I want to research how effective youth-driven wellness programs are at preventing student suicides. To do so, I will be surveying facilitators and participants and coding information from youth-driven mental health programs in Palo Alto.

My project is focused on the divide between Special Education and General Education students. I am researching the most effective ways of reaching a more diverse group of people through advertisements (in my project, flyers). To get to the bottom of this issue, I am looking at what design components, reach a more diverse group of people.

This project will collect qualitiative data as to how students view various wellness programs at Palo Alto High School. The results can be used to improve program offerings.

Only about 40% of American public schools have computer science programs. Most of these are in the wealthiest regions in America. Children who live in low income neighborhoods will never have a chance to be exposed to these kinds of classes, and these classes could change their lives.