A business passion project is a great way to build real-world skills, make an impact, and figure out what you’re into, and it adds something distinctive to your resume and college applications. Here are ten ideas for high schoolers, each with what it is, why it matters, and a couple of resources to get started.
1. Peer-to-peer book rental service
What it is: a platform or service for students to rent and lend textbooks, novels, and supplies to each other cheaply.
Why it matters: textbooks are expensive. This cuts costs for students and reuses resources.
How to start:
- Sharetribe: build your own peer-to-peer marketplace.
- Google Forms: a simple way to log inventory and organize rentals.
2. DIY science kits for kids
What it is: science experiment kits for elementary and middle schoolers, with materials and easy instructions, focused on chemistry, biology, or physics.
Why it matters: it makes STEM fun and accessible, especially for families without easy access to lab resources.
How to start:
- KiwiCo: inspiration for kit-based learning.
- Instructables: DIY science project ideas and tutorials.
3. Meal planning service for teens
What it is: a meal-planning service made for teens, with recipes, shopping lists, and nutrition advice. You could specialize in vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options.
Why it matters: a lot of teens want to eat healthier but don’t know where to start. A tailored service makes it approachable.
How to start:
- MyFitnessPal: learn about meal planning and nutrition tracking.
- Instagram: a good platform to share recipes and build an audience.
4. Art and design workshops for seniors
What it is: art and design workshops for senior citizens, covering painting, pottery, digital design, or photography.
Why it matters: art has real benefits for seniors’ mental health and quality of life, and you’d be supporting lifelong learning.
How to start:
- Skillshare: pick up the basic art skills to teach.
- Local senior centers: partner with them to host workshops.
5. Sustainable packaging design
What it is: a small business offering sustainable packaging design to local businesses, especially ones relying on single-use plastic.
Why it matters: eco-friendly packaging cuts waste and appeals to environmentally conscious customers, so you’re solving a real business problem with design.
How to start:
- EcoEnclose: a sustainable packaging supplier.
- Adobe Illustrator: for designing packaging mockups.
6. Nonprofit consulting for teens
What it is: consulting for other students who want to start a nonprofit or community project, helping with legal structure, marketing, and fundraising.
Why it matters: starting a nonprofit can be overwhelming, and guiding others through it helps more students make an impact.
How to start:
- Candid (Foundation Center): resources on starting a nonprofit.
- Zoom: for virtual consultations.
7. Digital literacy workshops for older adults
What it is: workshops or tutoring for parents and grandparents on using technology, covering smartphones, social media, and online safety.
Why it matters: many older adults struggle with tools that are now essential, and helping them builds confidence and bridges a generational gap.
How to start:
- DigitalLearn: free resources for digital skills.
- Eventbrite: for organizing and promoting workshops.
8. Mobile photography and editing classes
What it is: classes for teens who want to improve their phone photography and editing for social media or digital art.
Why it matters: these are genuinely useful digital skills, and a lot of teens want to learn them but don’t know where to start.
How to start:
- Snapseed and Lightroom: free, beginner-friendly editing apps.
- YouTube: free tutorials on mobile photography.
Ultimate List of Summer Business Programs for High Schoolers
9. Storytelling and public speaking academy for kids
What it is: a weekend program teaching younger kids storytelling and public speaking, in person or virtually, with techniques to build confidence.
Why it matters: communication is an essential skill, but many kids aren’t confident speaking. A youth-led workshop makes it relatable.
How to start:
- Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program: ideas and techniques for public speaking.
- Zoom: for virtual classes.
10. School supplies reuse program
What it is: collect gently used or excess school supplies at the end of the year and redistribute them to students or schools that need them.
Why it matters: many students can’t easily afford supplies. Redistributing them cuts waste and makes school more accessible.
How to start:
- Freecycle Network: find local donations.
- Google Sheets: track inventory and donations.
Building a research project? Try ScienceFair.io
If you’re also working on a science fair project, ScienceFair.io is a platform built for high and middle school students, from finding an idea to presenting your final work. You can schedule a consultation call to map out a plan.
What it offers:
- Idea engine: generate research ideas based on thousands of past projects.
- Step-by-step research guide: work through the research process one stage at a time.
- Tuner: sharpen your project title and abstract so they land with judges.
- AI judging tool: practice the judging Q&A and find weak spots before the real thing.
- Expert coaching: mentorship from past winners through the A-Z Science Fair Masterclass and coaching calls.
Take a look at ScienceFair.io if a research project is on your list.
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