@StanfordSwag I am passionate about environmental science. Environmental science came easily to me in freshman year, so I thought that it would be a good research area. I conducted my first project this year and won third place in the environmental science category in an ISEF recognized fair. I have been thinking about taking IB Environmental Systems, but I was told that it is not a very rigorous science course that is aimed for students completing the IB diploma, but not particularly interested in the sciences. Also, I have been in contact with an associate professor of Environmental Engineering at Columbia University. He runs a research lab and I have been trying to get in, though age restrictions will likely prevent me from participating this year.