Looking Beyond the Surface by Presley

Looking Beyond the Surface by Presley - October 2026 Scholarship Essay

This year, I enrolled in the AP Research class. I started with a question about something that people encounter every day: water. My question specifically was: How does hard water affect hair? I was interested in understanding how the water we use to wash our hair could contribute to damage, but I learned that the answer is far more complicated than I thought. My research started as a question about water, but over time it became an opportunity to understand that multiple factors can influence the health of hair.
I started with content analysis; through this, I discovered that hair damage is not explained by water alone. Factors such as shampoo and conditioner, hair dye, hair thickness, and tensile strength all contribute to understanding how hair responds to different conditions. I also learned that water that is considered "hard" contains higher concentrations of minerals such as calcium that over time build up on the scalp. This buildup affects the tensile strength of your hair, which essentially means how hard you can pull apart a single strand of hair before it breaks, which in turn makes the hair more susceptible to breakage. Initially, I only focused on the water being the main cause, but my research taught me to consider how several variables can interact with each other to influence an outcome.
This research was not only important to me, but also important to a larger community because hair is something people deeply care about. People spend immense amounts of money and time buying hair care products, treatments, and routines because the way their hair looks can affect the way they feel about themselves and their confidence. Yet, people may not realize that the water they use every day could be one factor that is negatively affecting their hair. Being able to understand the relationship between water quality and hair damage can help people make more informed decisions about their hair care and explain why certain products or routines may not give them the results they want. Researching a subject that connects science to an everyday concern showed me that even a discovery that may seem small can have a large value in people's lives.
This realization changed how I approached my project. Instead of focusing on a simple explanation, I began to pay closer attention to details, differences, and limitations within my research. I learned that answering a scientific question requires more than just collecting information that supports an initial question. It means comparing evidence, considering other factors, and remaining open to findings that may change or alter my original question.
Although I haven't begun the experimental portion of my project, my content analysis has given me new questions that I have to investigate. I want to explore how hard water may affect hair under controlled conditions while also accounting for the factors that could influence the results. This next step excites me because I now understand that research is not always confirming what I expected to find; it is about discovering what the evidence actually tells me.
My AP Research experience has taught me to look beyond the surface of a problem. As I prepare for college and pursue my interest in healthcare, I want to carry this lesson with me. Whether I investigate a scientific question or try to understand someone's needs, I hope to approach challenges with curiosity, patience, and a willingness to look deeper before concluding.