possible ideas for independent study projects?

Question

I am doing an independent study project and I need some ideas on what to do it on. This will be a year long process, which will then be presented in front of a panel of judges. I'm open to any field of study (ie. math, science, history, etc...). If you could possibly give me some ideas on what you would be interested in, I would greatly appreciate it. If possible, please elaborate on details. Thanks.

Answer 1

This may be pretty large in general scope, but that may be a good thing, right?
Economics/History - Economic Impact of the Golden Age of Piracy
We all could, given the right source material and the time to study it, calculate the raw monetary total of all the goods, materials, and ships that were stolen by the pirates during their glory days in the 16th-19th Centuries (roughly), What about the larger view: of the value added to the economy by the goods being sold back via Black Markets; the increased value to the goods themselves because of the induced scarcity from their loss to burning, or sinking of ships by the pirates, etc. (anything loss other than selling or trading); the additional jobs created for sailors or additional military posts needed in hunting them; the impact of the pirates' wanton spending on port towns that welcomed them; the improvements in colonial lives by being able to acquire goods that otherwise were unavailable by prohibition or prohibitive taxation; etc.
I think there could be a lot there, as well as modern comparisons to how modern Black Markets in developing countries could be working in similar ways to have a beneficial impact occurring beneath, and independent of the larger, negative impact on society.

Answer 2

Hi. How about a project on climate change and it's effect on the population, short term and long term.