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Blog Post: What I Learned from My AP Research Project

For my AP Research project, I studied how machine learning can be used to predict solubility in mixtures of salts and solvents -an introduction to computational chemistry for me. I wanted to make chemistry more accessible using simple models and free data.

I built and tested different machine learning models using data sourced from various scientific and industrial sources. My best model was pretty accurate, and it showed that even with limited data, it’s possible to make accurate predictions without an ideal solution assumption.

What I Learned
This project taught me a lot. I got better at finding data, writing scientific papers, and conducting a literature review. It also showed me how important it is to curate data. Things didn’t go as planned a few times — the data I needed wasn’t available, or I had to change how I built the model. This showed me to think of my feet.

The Presentation
The presentation went well. I explained my topic clearly and answered questions with confidence. But if I could change one thing, I would’ve used more images and visual examples. That would’ve helped people understand my points more easily.

What I Would’ve Done Differently
-I should’ve started collecting data earlier. Cleaning and organizing it took more time than I expected.
-I wish I’d added more images in the presentation to explain key ideas better.
-I also could’ve asked for feedback from someone with experience in computational chemistry once I finished the model and wrote the first drafts of the paper.

Future Plans

In college, I want to continue exploring computational chemistry, but for different purposes, like designing new materials or studying reactions that are hard to test in the lab. This project was a great first step.