CAPSTONE RESEARCH APRROVED TOPICS– Choose (3) to Pre-Research

I will select one of the three for you after your research is completed.

Select topics from the list below. If you have an idea for a topic but do not see it listed,

you must clear it with me FIRST before you may begin researching.

The Environment

  1. Recycling, landfills and other methods of disposal—impact on environment
  2. Rainforests- Habitat Crisis
  3. Coral reefs and health of the oceans- Habitat Crisis
  4. Global warming, “climate change,” polar ice caps- Habitat Crisis and global impact
  5. BWCA: use, management, concerns with habitat
  6. Pollution: air, water, land [ choose three global locales to investigate ]
  7. The dying bee population & declining frogs, butterflies/wild pollinators—Species crisis and impact
  8. (3) Species on the “Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable” list. Must do one from each list PLUS at least one species which is already extinct:
  1. Clean drinking water crisis and water shortage
  2. Alternate fuel and energy sources—pros, cons, research status, cost, etc…..
  3. Hydraulic Fracturing / “Frac Mining”—all sides

Medical & Health

  1. Use of steroids medically, in sports, other uses—impact and legality
  2. Obesity/heart disease/diabetescrisis in the United States—must compare to other countries with better, overall health
  3. Stem cell research & use, use of the “chimera” -- pros, cons, legality
  4. Growth hormone use in food supply—pros and cons
  5. Pesticide use in food supply – pros and cons, use by countries who export products
  6. Euthanasia: unbiased study of issue—examines pros, cons
  7. The Human Connectome Project --how will its mapping of the human brain contribute to scientific knowledge?
  8. Infectious disease research [world organizations, USAMRID, CDC in Atlanta, diseases on the watch list] as well as …Epidemics/Pandemics: vaccines, required immunizations vs. those who refuse them [dangers, immigrants & required?] Immunizations and their role in averting epidemics, pandemics….Past epidemics/pandemics, dangers in the modern world
  9. Advances in medical technology- surgery / diagnostic tools, prosthetics, help for amputees, returning vets the latest medical advances,…find several examples and how it’s improving the quality of user’s lives
  10. High-impact/contact sports, concussions, and related brain injuries and later problems/degeneration, solutions

Human Relations / Political / Government

  1. Should military service and Peace Corps or similar groups be mandatory for all Americans?- all sides.
  2. NRA, gun laws, conceal and carry—full review/all sides
  3. Nuclear weapons and as an energy resource—use, impact, dangers/concerns (globally)
  4. Presidential race, issues/concerns, candidates and their platforms—unbiased examination
  5. Bullying, online/in person, related anti-bullying legislation and laws- impact, enforcement, importance
  6. Constitutionality of the Patriot Acts and related anti-terrorism legislation and laws
  7. Modern genocide—must examine at least two in depth: why it happened, impact, world reaction, world watch groups, United Nations, which countries intervened and why
  8. Animal Rights: PETA, testing [medical and cosmetic testing on], use/treatment within the food chain
  9. Planet Earth: population explosion—impact on resources, health, international relations
  10. The death penalty- unbiased, overall look at the pros and cons
  11. Censorship: television, film, books, internet—pros, cons, related issues
  12. What is a dictator? Examples here and abroad? What conditions have to be met for the rise of a dictator? Dangers? Positives?

Technology/Science

  1. Nanotechnology—what it is, applications, pros/cons
  2. NASA, space exploration challenges and private space flight companies—impact on space exploration, costs, advances, risks, and development of space resources
  3. Modern technology, video games, drones/military—how modern technology is changing the face of the military
  4. Our changing planet: earthquakes, extreme storms, tsunamis, volcanic activity—methods of study, changing the way we build, forecast, prepare for events…concerns now and for the future
  5. Yellowstone National Park—super volcanoes here and around the world, past events, dangers, signs, likelihood and preparation
  6. Tunguska Event [meteor-devastated Russian/ Eastern Siberia] and other similar events- risk of Earth experiencing more…extinction events in Earth’s past and impact
  1. Your idea? Come see me….